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IN THIS ISSUE

Education Spring projects What’s On Issue 165 March/April 2025 Familiesonline.co.uk

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TRAVEL

A tale of THREE cities

For more family-friendly travel options worldwide, visit @tinboxtraveller on Instagram

By Claire Hall

My husband and I LOVE travelling with our two daughters. In particular, we enjoy visiting European cities and so I’m sharing with you our recommendations for three that we’ve visited and really loved. Our most recent European city visit was to the capital of Hungary. Now, if you know anything about Budapest you might think of it more as a destination for hen and stag ‘dos’ or couples’ getaways.

Hungarian Parliament

I get it. The famous Ruin Bars and heavy post-Second World War history might not scream ‘family-friendly’ but hear me out! We had a brilliant multi-generation holiday in Budapest spending a full week seeking out its best viewpoints, visiting attractions and enjoying its cafe culture. We loved relaxing at Széchenyi Thermal Bath and our kids said it was the best thing they did in Budapest. The Danube

BUDAPEST

They also enjoyed shopping at Central Market Hall, walking round the Parliament and Jewish Quarters and climbing St Stephen’s Basilica - the interior is spectacular; it has its own piece of Horrible Histories – the mummified right arm of St Stephen (King István); and you can climb all the way to the roof for brilliant views of Budapest. Budapest is also really easy to get around either on foot or by Bolt taxi.

Tuk Tuk Tour

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon is a truly family-friendly city with play equipment in open spaces and an urban beach across the road from Commerce Square and the statue of Dom José I. In terms of things to do in Lisbon, there’s an aquarium, the iconic trams, a cable car and a zoo to enjoy. If you are short on time, I can recommend hiring a tuk tuk for a whistle-stop city tour – my kids loved this. Don’t miss conquering the castle! Castelo de São Jorge (or St George’s Castle) sits on the hilltop in the Alfama, a commanding Moorish castle high above the twisting narrow medieval streets. It’s the perfect place to let imaginations run wild as you wander the castle walls and just as good for enjoying some spectacular views over the city. You can also get a close up in the Black Chamber with the camera obscura, giving a 360 degree look at the city in real time, from the monuments to the people.

Castelo de Sao Jorge

LISBON Barcelona in Spain offers plenty of historic attractions families will love. We visited with our two girls when they were preschoolers and it’s a great place for a city break with babies and toddlers.

View from Park de Güell

It’s very easy to get around on foot or by Metro and there are plenty of free things to do. Our favourites were the urban beach and Park Güell (not the inner garden, which you must pay to visit and book in advance for guaranteed entry). Placa Reial Gaudi columns in Park Güell

BARCELONA 2 Families North West London

Other things to do in Barcelona include the Aquarium, which was a big hit with my girls, Spain’s oldest amusement park, Tibidabo Amusement Park and the Montjuïc Magic Fountain. For some history, head for the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia – BUT always buy tickets ahead to avoid long queues. The Sagrada Familia – infamous for being designed by Antoni Gaudi and, so far, taking 142 years to build – is a piece of history in the making. When completed, its central tower will measure 566ft, making it the tallest cathedral in Europe. One of the best sites for families is the Nativity facade, which was the first part of the cathedral to be built and shows the birth of Jesus, incorporating symbolic creatures such as turtles and chameleons – perfect for spotting with youngsters. Familiesonline.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE: 2 4-5 6-7 8 9 10 11 12-14 15

Heather Waddington

A tale of three cities Education Clubs & classes directory Parenting Early Years Spring projects Food What’s On Children’s theatre Cover image: depositphotos.com

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EDUCATION

ChatGPT and your child By Erin Miller An increasing area of concern for both schools and parents is how children are incorporating AI into their learning, particularly when they are learning independently. While AI offers tremendous opportunities to enhance learning, it is also essential to be aware of the potential negative impacts that AI may have. This article explores some of the risks of children using AI in their learning but also provides some guidance for when and how children can use AI in a productive and useful way. As a teacher, I now frequently use AI tools to assist me in my lesson planning and they have been hugely beneficial in saving my time. The reason why I am confident in using AI tools is because when AI produces a response, I am able to fact-check it myself. After over ten years of teaching, it is clear to me when AI has produced erroneous information or not responded to my prompt with the information I’m looking for. However, children, especially younger children, will not have developed this critical faculty as they do not yet have subject expertise. Therefore, children blindly relying on information produced by AI is not conducive to learning.

up with ideas in creative tasks puts a stop to thinking. The same applies to tasks where children are being asked to make interpretations or give their opinions on something. There is no viable shortcut for thinking, as the process of deep thought is invaluable in forming neural pathways, which is how children remember information. AI tools are a part of our present and future and children should engage with them, where appropriate. But schools and parents should be aligned in how to introduce children to AI and help them engage with it safely and responsibly.

The main lesson that I impart to my students surrounding the use of AI is: AI cannot do your thinking for you.

Your child’s school may have an AI policy in place, which is worth reviewing if you have any concerns. As this technology continues to evolve, schools are likely to be open to hearing your thoughts and feedback on their AI policies and usage. So don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school to continue this important conversation!

Children at all ages need to understand that AI provides a great platform for researching factual information but using AI to come

Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.

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EDUCATION

How are children assessed at school? By Zuzu Jordan As parents, we often wonder how well our children are progressing at school. In which areas do they excel or need additional support? Feedback on their performance is crucial to understanding their learning journey and providing the encouragement they need. Assessments play an essential role in education, acting as tools to shape and refine the learning experience. Through various assessment methods, teachers can identify each pupil’s strengths and weaknesses, then tailor their lessons to address individual and group needs. These evaluations help teachers set specific learning targets and organise classroom groups effectively to ensure all pupils thrive. One commonly used method is formative assessment, which includes tests, quizzes and exams. These timed activities provide valuable diagnostic insights into a pupil’s understanding, offering immediate feedback and standardised benchmarks. Results from weekly or half-termly tests can also serve as quick indicators of progress. However, they can sometimes create anxiety for pupils and parents due to their timed nature. Teachers also assess pupils in numerous other ways, often on a daily basis, while children are encouraged to engage in selfassessment and peer assessment. This involves reflecting on their own work or evaluating their classmates’ efforts. For example, using a writing success criteria checklist, pupils can identify their achievements and where they need to improve. Not all assessments involve written tasks or time limits. Creative methods, such as presentations and group activities, allow children to demonstrate their understanding in diverse

and engaging ways. Teachers and support staff also assess informally by asking questions during lessons, observing classroom interactions and marking pupils’ work. With advances in technology, educators now use innovative tools to make assessments more interactive and informative. Real-time feedback from digital quizzes or classroom apps enables teachers to adjust lessons instantly. For example, if a majority of pupils struggle with a concept, teachers can modify their approach immediately to address misunderstandings. Ultimately, the goal of assessments is to support learning, not create stress. If your child struggles with timed assessments, practising under timed conditions, improving time management and familiarising them with question types can help. By working together, parents and teachers can ensure that assessments become stepping stones for growth rather than barriers to success. Zuzu is a Mastery for Maths Specialist who has taught primary for 18 years and is director of Arnett International. For free resources and tips, find her on Instagram edumate_uk

COME AND GROW WITH US

Statutory tests The government requires schools to conduct several statutory assessments to gather nationwide data. All children take a Baseline Assessment in Reception, a short evaluation of early literacy, communication, language and mathematical skills. In Year 1, pupils complete a Phonics Screening Test, with the option of reassessment in Year 2 if needed. National curriculum ‘SATs’ in Year 2 are optional for schools; Year 6 ‘SATS’ are compulsory and include a reading paper, three maths papers and a spelling, punctuation and grammar paper. In Year 4, pupils undergo a multiplication tables check, typically administered in June. Schools must adhere to strict guidelines when administering these assessments and any necessary adjustments, such as enlarged text or additional time, must be requested through formal channels in advance. Tests are usually conducted in normal classroom settings, with allowances for adults to read questions on certain papers or act as scribes in specific circumstances. Parents can find detailed guidance about these assessments on the government website at www.bit.ly/ncassessments Familiesonline.co.uk

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CLUBS & CLASSES ACTIVITY CENTRES BigShots Golf (HA1) BigShots Golf is transforming the game of golf to make it accessible and fun for everyone. They have developed cutting edge ball tracking technology and created colorful, virtual games so that even a total beginner can step up and swing on to have fun! www.bigshotsgolfuk.com Lincolnsfields Playzone (WD23) A soft play centre in Bushey for children up to the age of 11. Birthday party packages available. Open daily during school holidays, and Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during term time. www.lincolnsfieldsplayzone.co.uk Ninja Warrior Watford (WD25) Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park is a supervised activity and fitness venue inspired by ITV’s hit programme Ninja Warrior UK! A great place for family activities and for keeping fit. No charge for spectators to come and watch your Ninjas from the café area- full range of hot and cold food plus a wide selection of drinks! www.ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/watford

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Harrow Woodcraft Folk Join our Elfin group (6 to 9 years). Meeting in Central Harrow. Tuesday evenings (term time): 6:30-8pm. Email harrowwoodcraftfolk@yahoo. co.uk for more details. www.woodcraft.org.uk Holidaytime After School Club (Part of Activetime Children’s Activities Limited) (HA1) Pick up from four local schools at the end of the school day, then take the children back to the club for a snack and the daily activity. Open Mon-Fri 3-6pm at The Cadet Centre, Harrow, HA1 2QA. Call 07575801623, email holidays@ activetime.co.uk www.activetimedaynursery.co.uk Willesden and Brent Chess Club (NW2) Provides social chess for players of levels, set up Club competitions and tutor juniors. For the more competitive player they enter teams into local leagues and refer members to our county team. We meet at Cricklewood Library (Monday) and Chalkhill Community Centre (Wednesday). Call Anthony on 07974 238357, email fulton790@aol.com www.willesdenchess.wordpress.com

Cygnets Art School Ruislip Inclusive term-time art classes, holiday workshops, birthday parties and private tuition for children aged 5+. Classes are high quality, allowing children to improve their artistic skills through enjoyable projects using professional quality materials. Regular classes in Ruislip Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. www.cygnetsartschool.com/ruislip L Marsh Art Studio (HA7) We celebrate the making of art by tapping in to the creativity, interest and enthusiasm of our students and providing the space, time and guidance for it to happen. Classes are taught from a purpose-built art studio, either in small groups or 1-2-1 private tuition. Skills and techniques are taught according to each student’s individual readiness. 90-minute after-school art classes Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Term-in-a-Week Painting Courses during school holidays. Private classes by arrangement. All ages from 7 and upwards. All levels of experience. www.facebook.com/art1stanmore

EDUCATION SUPPORT Free Readers (Various) Free Readers offers enrichment or extra help for children aged 3-11 yrs in Reading, Maths and English, homework and test preparation. Individual teaching and attention in small groups is the preferred way to help children. They encourage them how to learn, enabling them to reach their full potential. Call 07385 258007 or email office@freereaders.co.uk. www.freereaders.co.uk Integratedbrain - Improve Co-ordination for learning! (UB5) Activities to help those with poor co-ordination, dyspraxia, dyslexia or fine motor difficulties. Small groups of 4/5 children working to develop better all-round motor integration. Call 07766 837 616, ushapatel.raviv@gmail.com www.integratedbrain.co.uk Hatch End 11+ Tuition (HA5) Hatch End Tuition is an established and successful tutoring centre offering a warm and friendly environment where children are encouraged and motivated to achieve their maximum potential whatever their ability. Their aim is to build children’s confidence and help

CODING DiscoG Coding Academy (HA3) Run weekly term-time classes and holiday courses and workshops for students aged 6 to 18. Join in to learn Computer Science, Coding, Robotics, AI and Machine Learning. Contact Gerard & Kat on 07767300940, email: info@discogcodingacademy.com www.discogcodingacademy.com Little Coders Coding class for children aged 4 to 6 years. Develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. www.littlecodersclub.co.uk

ARTS & CRAFTS Blank Canvas Art Club Online, fine art classes for kids and adults from 6-106 teaching skills & techniques whilst encouraging imagination and finding your own style whatever your experience. Weekday after school kids classes. Adults evening or daytime classes suitable for beginners or refreshers. Email Suzi blankcanvasartclub@gmail.com www.Facebook.com/BlankCanvasArtClub

Essential Touch-Typing Courses For ages 8-18 Our online courses are tutor supported (meaning a lovely human being checks your child’s work and gives positive feedback helping them to enjoy learning and stay on track). 95% of our students complete the course in 10 lessons, achieving 95% accuracy and 30 words per minute! Just imagine what a difference that would make to their school work! Invest now for your child’s future: ü Keyboard confidence ü Accurate typing ü Faster work speed ü Improved spelling Empower your child with this lifelong skill!

achieve high standards of work in an engaging and challenging environment 020 8421 3066. www.hatchend11plus.co.uk Little Big Leaders (HA8 & WD23) Maths/English or Phonics & Writing for 3½ to 11 year-olds at our Saturday School, Summer and Winter School. Tutors support and challenge pupils to improve their learning and have a track record in enabling pupils to demonstrate progress in their mainstream setting and/or in 5+, 7+ and 11+ examinations. Childcare vouchers accepted. FREE trial lessons. Call 020 3637 6266. www.littlebigleaders.com The Learning Wheel A dyslexia assessment can help children understand why they may be struggling more than their peers. It helps to boost confidence and self-esteem. Early identification can help children and adults to get the support they need. Our assessments include a full detailed report that includes an outline of learning strengths, recommendations and strategies for how to work on areas of weakness. Assessments conducted by qualified SpLD (Dyslexia) assessor and teacher. Call 07930 557 870. www.thelearningwheel.co.uk Raviv Practice London (UB5) Catch up reading course. Improve reading age by 1 year in 3 months of home-based work. The computer interventions is similar to having a tutor in your home with daily monitoring and feedback. Call 07766 837 6168 info@ ravivpracticelondon.co.uk (registered therapist). www.ravpracticelondon.co.uk

DANCE Street Dance Academy (Various) Teach children aged 5-18 yrs every weekend during school term time, with clubs in and around London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Street Dance Academy also teach Adult Street Dance and Zumba Classes in Twickenham every Wednesday. Call 0800 0236 236. www.streetdanceacademy.co.uk Elina Patrou Academy of Dance (HA7) Ballet classes to develop poise, technique and expression through dance, for boys and girls aged 3-16 years with Royal Academy of Dance examinations. Online private ballet lessons available. Call 07555 861561 or email elinapatrouacademyofdance@gmail.com www.elinapatrouacademyofdance.com New Strathspey School of Dancing Highland Dancing for fitness and fun. Children’s Saturday morning highland dancing class for 5-11 year olds at Knutsford School Hall, Watford. Full details of all classes is available on the website. Contact Sandy at shunt@moose.co.uk www.rscdsherts.org/new-strathspey Divine Yoga (Borehamwood and Kenton) In each of our classes, yoga is brought to life using creative games and mindful movement ending in a relaxing mindful activity. Classes are for children 4-10 years, teens, families, schools and nurseries. Book a FREE class. www.divineyoga.com/booknow

HEALTH & WELLBEING Etiquette and Emotions Etiquette and Emotions offer live, interactive, and enjoyable workshops for children and teens aged 7-15 to elevate their emotional intelligence and social etiquette. Workshops are run by a certified children’s coach and include videos, discussions, and a quiz. Get 10% off! Use discount code: ee10off at the checkout! www.etiquetteandemotions.com

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CLUBS & CLASSES Kids Yoga with Yana (Watford) Yana is a qualified Kids Yoga teacher with a passion for empowering children to be the best version of themselves through yoga and mindfulness practice. www.facebook.com/kidsyogawithyana

LANGUAGES & DEVELOPMENT Baby Lab (WC1E) Have fun for free with your baby making discoveries about brain development at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development. Birkbeck College. Travel expenses refunded. www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk Phonics with Robot Reg (various) Provide fun, high-energy classes which teach early phonics skills to children 1 to 4 years. Fun, varied and educational classes. https://robotreg.co.uk

MUSIC & MOVEMENT Gymboree Play & Music Watford Sensory classes for babies, art and music classes, as well as Play & Learn classes for little ones who are on the move. They also offer a range of fabulously fun birthday parties. Find them upstairs in the Atria shopping centre at the top of the Queens Car Park. https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/watford Monkey Music (Various) Award-winning Monkey Music, trusted by parents since 1992, introduces babies and young children aged 3 months to 4 years to music with a unique four-stage curriculum tailored to each age group. Classes run 6 days a week, in Uxbridge, Eastcote, Northwood, Ickenham, Harrow, Stanmore and Watford. Call 020 8427 6595. www.monkeymusic.co.uk

SPORT & EXERCISE TISKA Karate Learn the art of Karate. Classes held weekly in Harrow, Northwood and Wembley. Families welcome, Ages 4+. 2week FREE trial. Call 07739 572487, or email hpatel@tiskakarate.com www.tiskakarate-harrow.co.uk www.tiskakarate-northwood.co.uk www.tiskakarate-wembley.co.uk Watford Cycle Hub Offering cycle repair services, maintenance courses and cycle training. They also offer advice and information about cycling and bikes, including local cycle routes and maps, news about locally led rides and opportunities. www.watfordcyclehub.org.uk

SWIMMING Aqua Vie Regular after school weekly classes in Bushey during term times. Spaces for new babies, toddlers and adults on Tues and Wed. Learn mindful, effortless swimming in a calm environment in warm water. office@aqua-vie. com or call 01923 245 773 or 07814 987 153. www.aqua-vie.com

THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS Achieve Arts (HA5/NW7/NW11) Achieve Arts is a performance centre teaching drama, speech and singing to children and young adults. Young performers work towards their LAMDA examinations in acting, verse and prose, public speaking and musical theatre whilst learning some key life skills. The exceptional teaching team have a wealth of experience and are invested in the students to Achieve their best. call 020 8087 2461. www.achievearts.co.uk Harrow Arts Centre Youth Theatre (HA5) Are you passionate about performing, writing, or directing theatre? Our weekly HAC Youth Theatre is your chance to develop professional skills in theatrical performance while boosting confidence and creativity in a supportive learning environment. For ages 7-11 years. www.harrowarts.com Pauline Quirke Academy (HA6/WD17/UB8) Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) is a weekend performing arts Academy with over 200 Academies nationwide, providing tuition for children and young people from 4-18 years. Since 2007, PQA has given outstanding performing arts training in an environment that is friendly, safe and rewarding. Students spend three hours with us, rotating through hourlong sessions in Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre and Film & Television. We provide a space for children and young people to express themselves, build confidence and, most importantly, have fun! www.pqacademy.com Perform (Various) Help your child shine with a free Perform class. Perform weekly classes for 4-7s and 7-12’s use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out a child’s natural ability. Run by professional actors, our classes focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration. We put child development at the heart of our classes which means we don’t worry about whether children get their lines or moves exactly right. All abilities are welcome! The curriculum is packed with fun, using a mix of drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. Classes in Harrow, Ickenham, Northwood, Pinner, Ruislip, Stanmore and Watford.

ERS BEGINN FFER O L SPECIA

S 2 W EEK FREE Classes held Every Thursday at 5.00pm

Wembley Club Preston Park Primary School

Every Saturday at 9.00am Harrow Club Harrow High School

Every child is welcome to try a no-obligation FREE class, visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book your local class. Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts (HA5, HA6) Performance based theatre school for children aged 3-18 with venues based in Hatch End and Northwood. Weekly classes in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Modern, LAMDA and Acrobatics. www.sharpeacademy.co.uk Stagecoach (Various) Training in three disciplines: drama, dance and singing. Great for building confidence, making new friends and beginning to hone talent and enthusiasm for performing, by having fun! Call Harrow 020 3504 0100, Harrow on the Hill & Sudbury Hill 01923 248 294, Stanmore & Harrow Weald 020 3504 2154, Watford 01727 768 738, Queen’s Park 020 7723 5861 or Northwood 01442 263 599. www.stagecoach.co.uk

CLASSES FOR GROWN UPS Woodcarving (Iver) A small group who would welcome new members. Drop in for a chat! Meet Monday mornings 9.30am-12.30pm at Evreham Centre. Email webb1959@btinternet.com

CHILDREN’S PARTIES Angel Parties Leave it to us to make all arrangements and kick start your party. Packages start from £199 and can include bouncy castles, decorations, invitations, party bags, candyfloss, popcorn, catering, juice bar, venue ideas, balloon arch etc. Please reserve your date! Call 07535 793 304 or 07535 793 404

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PARENTING

Improving your child’s metacognition By Usha Patel

In all the stages of learning, we want to encourage curiosity, find out how best a child likes to learn and exploit this to its full potential. However, what can make the task of learning very difficult, especially for those with neurodivergent conditions such as dyslexia, DCD, ADHD or ASD is that, due to weak executive function skills, children may appear bored easily and be unable to engage for long periods. In my experience, this stems from many factors; some of which are physical (poor co-ordination), others brain-based (cognitive). The result is that such children look for activities which deliver instant gratification and they are either not entertained for long or hyper-focused and can’t change pace or activity. This pattern, in turn, creates a vicious cycle of events leading to the point where everything is boring unless it is their choice of activity, usually procedural in nature. This limits their potential to stretch their way of thinking and how they process their own thoughts – metacognition. Metacognition is ‘thinking about how you think’ and this selfanalysis is the basis of self-improvement. So how do you help a child improve their way of thinking and engage in developing curiosity? The first thing is to stop talking and start asking more questions or allow silence to give them space to work it out for themselves. Parents who provide all the answers all the time are not letting their children think for themselves. We want to place the responsibility squarely in their hands. Whenever they can’t find the butter in the fridge, behind the bowl of yesterday’s evening meal, instead of moving things in the refrigerator, the call comes out: ‘I can’t find the butter!’ This needs to change, so YOU need to change. Don’t do things for them or provide answers until they have tried to work it out for themselves.

carefully - we cannot do it routinely. This is why climbing walls are my first point of call for building metacognition. Children using climbing walls (or climbing trees) need to do many things but most of all they need to avoid falling down! Each hand position, each foot position is thought through and has consequences. This is critical thinking at its best. Afterwards, there is a lot of self-analysis: was I strong enough? How would I do this next time? This is the metacognition we want to nurture. After a few goes of the same climbing wall, the activity does become procedural but that’s when it’s time to increase the challenge to the next level for a longer duration. How does the ship get into the bottle? Puzzles which make you think but don’t burden the working memory are also good for building metacognition. I like to use simple Sudoku puzzles. You don’t need equipment, a unique space or loads of time. Unlike a physical puzzle, with Sudoku, you can see the steps taken to solve the puzzle and analyse them. You can then use this analysis next time. This helps build on the metacognition of how to solve the puzzle and how you think.

The beauty of physical ‘survival’ based activities

There are many different variations of Sudoku and the level of complexity can range from beginner to rocket scientist level, making them highly adaptable.

When survival is a factor, the brain switches on. Any activity which affects balance is something we have to think about

Usha Patel is a Neurocognitive Therapist at Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk)

Breaking the cycle

Building executive function

Children with poor executive functioning skills may struggle with concentration, which can hinder their ability to focus and persevere. This often leads to boredom and reliance on familiar, procedural activities that require less effort.

Activities like climbing walls or solving Sudoku-type puzzles can greatly enhance children’s cognitive and executive functioning abilities. Climbing requires critical thinking and focus, as each movement carries real consequences. Meanwhile, puzzles encourage problem-solving, adaptive strategy development and self-reflection. Both activities cater to varying skill levels, making them accessible and effective tools for cognitive growth. They also help children stay in the moment. By integrating these practices, children build stronger executive function, working memory and problem-solving skills, unlocking their potential for future success.

Breaking this cycle involves fostering curiosity and metacognition: thinking critically about how they think and approach problems. Parents can support this by allowing children to solve challenges independently, avoiding the tendency to provide immediate answers. This process nurtures critical thinking, responsibility and resilience, essential for long-term development and adaptability. 8 Families North West London

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EARLY YEARS

Your child’s speech and language development

By Kate Lewis and Katie Kennedy

Watching your child’s speech develop over time is very exciting but if they don’t meet or hit expected milestones, you may consider it to be a cause for concern. Please don’t panic though! Speech and language skills develop rapidly in the first years of life and every child progresses at their own pace. These milestones are general guidelines rather than rigid expectations: 12–18 months: By this age, children typically say their first words and may have a vocabulary of five to twenty words. They begin to name familiar objects, imitate sounds and understand simple commands like ‘Give me the ball.’ 18–24 months: Vocabulary grows rapidly during this period. Toddlers may have around fifty words by 18 months and combine two words into simple phrases like ‘want cookie’ or ‘go park.’ They understand more than they can say, following directions like ‘put it in the box.’ 2–3 years: By age 2, children often use two to three hundred words and start forming three-or four-word sentences. They begin asking questions like ‘What’s that?’ and can be understood by familiar listeners about half to three quarters of the time. 3–4 years: At this age children typically use longer sentences and have a vocabulary of a thousand words or more by age 4. They can tell simple stories, ask ‘why?’ questions and be understood by strangers most of the time.

For example, pausing before you give your child something can help to provide them with a communication opportunity. Pausing allows a child space to use and explore the communication methods available to them. It’s important to remember… Every child is unique and developing communication should be fun and interactive. Having an awareness of developmental milestones and supporting them with the tips above will stand you in good stead to increase your child’s communication skills. Kate and Katie are speech and language therapists at Magic Words Therapy which provides a broad range of expert speech and language therapy services for children and adults. Find out more at www.magicwordstherapy.co.uk

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Boosting speech and language development There are lots of things you can do to support your child’s speech and language development: Books, books and more books! Reading books with your child helps them to build vocabulary and learn sentence structure skills, while sparking imagination and creating opportunities to connect. Keep them engaged by using objects and toys as props – learning is way more fun when you bring meaning to words through real-world experiences. Copy your child. By repeating the sounds, words and phrases your child says, you build a stronger connection with them, while also letting them know you’re interested in what they have to say, regardless of the form of communication they prefer to use. It might feel strange at first but remember to watch their reactions when they realise you’re joining in with their preferred communication method! Sing songs and nursery rhymes Songs and nursery rhymes are repetitive, which helps to build up a child’s understanding of the language used. Children pick up on changes in tone of voice used when we sing which helps to engage them and pique their interest. Avoid asking questions For every five things we say to our children, only one of these should be a question. It’s common to ask rhetorical questions during play with our child, even when we’re not expecting them to answer back. Change these questions into comments. Instead of ‘Do you have the car? say ‘You have the car!’ Take a moment to pause Life can get busy and chaotic at times, so give yourself permission to pause. Pausing during play to observe your child can help you to better understand why they may be interested in a particular toy or activity and you can use these pauses to build anticipation. Familiesonline.co.uk

Families North West London 9

SPRING

Outdoor fun and learning this spring By Ellie Malt

Spring is the perfect season to embrace the wonders of nature with your children. The budding trees and singing birds are not just signs of life and new beginnings but also opportunities to explore, learn and connect with wildlife. Whether you have a sprawling garden, a small balcony or just a window box, there are plenty of ways to create a thriving mini ecosystem. Here are eight ideas to inspire outdoor fun with your family this spring. Each project offers a mix of hands-on creativity, learning and the joy of discovery.

Build a bug hotel Bug hotels are fantastic for biodiversity and providing shelter for insects, including beetles, ladybirds and solitary bees. They’re also a brilliant hands-on project for children. Start by gathering natural materials like twigs, pinecones, bark, bamboo canes and dry leaves. Use an old wooden box or stack pallets to create the structure, filling the compartments with these materials. You can also recycle everyday items like bricks with holes, cardboard tubes or broken terracotta pots. To make your bug hotel even more appealing to solitary bees, create a ‘bee hotel’ section by bundling together hollow bamboo canes or drilling holes of varying sizes into wooden blocks. This provides ideal nesting spots for these important pollinators. Position this section in a sunny, sheltered spot, as solitary bees prefer warmth and dryness.

Create a hedgehog haven Hedgehogs are nocturnal wonders with a crucial role in maintaining garden health by eating pests like slugs and snails. To welcome our prickly friends, leave a small gap in your garden fence for them to pass through. Avoid using slug pellets as they can harm hedgehogs. You can also make or purchase a hedgehog house. Position it in a quiet, shaded area and fill it with dry leaves or hay. Providing fresh water and food such as meat-based cat or dog food (not milk or bread) can encourage regular visits. Involve your children in setting up and checking the hedgehog house and teach them to observe from a distance to avoid disturbing these shy creatures.

Encourage kids to monitor their creation regularly. Buglife (www.buglife.org) has a fantastic bug directory to help you identify your tiny new visitors and find out more about them. Remind children to visit the hotel at different times of the day and observe which insects prefer which areas of the hotel. Dom Higgins, Head of Health and Education at The Wildlife Trusts (www.wildlifetrusts.org) says encouraging children’s natural curiosity can instil a lifelong love of nature that brings physical benefits. He also believes that getting hands-on can help prevent or dispel fears about creepie-crawlies. ‘Children have a fascination with insects and creepie-crawlies. Isn’t it often the adults who are squeamish, rather than the children?’ Need more ideas for bug hotels? Famly (www.famly.co) has an excellent guide to creating different kinds of bug hotels from a really simple ten-minute project to the mega-complex.

Go on a minibeast hunt Transform your garden or local park into a treasure trove of discovery by organising a minibeast hunt. Equip children with magnifying glasses, notebooks and a checklist of insects to find, such as ants, worms, spiders and centipedes. Look under logs, leaves and stones for hidden creatures, taking care to return everything to its original position. This activity teaches kids about the diversity of life and the importance of even the smallest creatures in the ecosystem. Encourage them to sketch their discoveries or write down fun facts about each species.

Create a butterfly garden Pollinators like butterflies are vital for the ecosystem and attracting them to your garden is easier than you might think. Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, marigolds and buddleia. Herbs 10 Families North West London

like thyme, mint and oregano are also excellent choices for window boxes or small spaces. Children can help plant and care for these flowers, learning about the life cycles of pollinators in the process. A butterfly-friendly garden can also include flat stones where butterflies can bask in the sun and shallow water dishes for drinking. Familiesonline.co.uk

FOOD

Cook once, eat twice By Sam Milner As parents who work from home and with hectic family schedules, we take every opportunity to follow the ‘cook once eat twice’ method using our air fryer. If you have not heard of cooking once and eating twice, the idea is that you double batch a meal, providing enough food for two mealtimes instead of one. It takes a lot of pressure out of meal preparations and if you do this just three times a week, you will soon have a freezer bursting with meals that you can reheat in an air fryer. Then on those nights when you don’t have time to cook at all, you can grab one of your trusted eat twice meals and reheat it from frozen. If you’re worried that this method will take up too much time, remember the prep time for many cook once, eat twice recipes is often no longer than the prep time for one meal. It’s also worth noting that an air fryer is an independent cooking machine and unlike a pan, you can leave it to do the cooking, freeing you up to attend to other jobs or simply spend time together.

for dinner. Then, as you are doing the washing up, add the second meal to a foil tray. Once cool, label and freeze it. Or you can keep it in the fridge; if you love the recipe, you may want round two the next day! Then as you start to build up a freezer supply you can have a variety of meals a few times a week without feeling like you are in a mealtime rut.

What type of recipes should you be preparing for a cook once, eat twice theme? Anything you would bake in the oven is a good starting point. Or something that would be familiar to you from the ready meals aisle of a supermarket. In other words, the kind of air fryer meals you can freeze in foil containers and then cook in an air fryer in a foil tray, reducing your washing up when you come back for your second batch.

Sam and Dom Milner are the co-authors of Air Fryer Easy Every Day: 140 super-simple delicious recipes (£20, White Lion Publishing) available from www.bookshop.org and founders of www.recipethis.com

My favourites include lasagne, moussaka, macaroni cheese, enchiladas, curry and other similar oven-friendly recipes that can easily be cooked much faster in the air fryer without the need for preheating.

Never miss an issue

Make a double batch of the recipe and portion up the first meal

Hectic Tuesday Veggie Loaded Moussaka

Use QR code to access full recipe

Easy Prep Vegetarian Enchiladas

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Families North West London 11

WHAT’S ON

What's On

listings for all the family Compiled by Anna Blackshaw

To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing. Email Listings@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk. Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

Many activities and events require advance booking. Please check the website in the listing to confirm terms and conditions for attending before heading out.

MARCH Sat 8 Mar Trinity Orchestra Concert (HA6) Under the baton of outstanding conductor Andrew Morley, Trinity Orchestra present an evening that spans the globe and the imagination. The concert opens with the rousing Peterloo Overture by Sir Malcolm Arnold, followed by ColeridgeTaylor’s evocative Symphonic Variations on an African Air, and culminating in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a much-loved and colourful symphonic suite that brings the tales of the Arabian Nights to vivid life. 7.30pm at St Edmund’s Church, Northwood Hills. www.trinityorchestra.org.uk/ th_event/concert-mar-25 Sat 8 Mar London Museum of Women in STEM – International Women’s Day (TW8) Did you know that just over a quarter of the people working in STEM in the UK are female? Head to the London Museum of Water and Steam as they rebrand for the day as the London Museum of Women in STEM. Take part in a full day of workshops, activities, experiments, Q&As and more as they work to encourage todays youth to consider a future in STEaM! www.waterandsteam.org.uk/event/ london-museum-of-women-instem-international-womens-day-2 Sun 9 Mar Duck Pond Market (N6) Duck Pond Market returns to Lauderdale House for a craft fair from 11am to 5pm! The Market combines the magic of a festival with

interesting stalls, local, sustainable and ethical food, crafts, homewares and arts.. www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/ whats-on/duck-pond-artisanmarket Sun 9–Sat 22 Mar Spring Exhibition by the Society of Ruislip Artists (HA4) A display of paintings of various styles and media, by members of the Society of Ruislip Artists, all of whom are local artists. AtThe Cow Byre Gallery, Manor Farm Ruislip. Free admission, no need to book. www.ruislipartists.co.uk Wed 12 Mar–Thu 3 Apr Haft-Sin Trail 2025 (N6) Head into Waterlow Park and help search for the Haft-sin eggs! Celebrated around the spring equinox, Nowruz heralds the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere. This moment of equilibrium between night and day signifies a fresh start. Follow the trail to find the hidden eggs, whilst learning about the ingredients for the Haft-sin! Each egg represents an item, and can be discovered by following the clues on the trail map, which will be available online and for pickup at Lauderdale House. www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/ whats-on/haft-sin-trail-2025 Sat 15 Mar Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra: The Magic of Dance (HA4) An eclectic mix of music for different styles of dance, from 40s American Big Band and jive to the Latin rhythms of South America, with European waltzes, musicals, ballet and disco. Something for everyone!

7.30pm at Winston Churchill Theatre. www.hillingdonphil.co.uk/concerts Sat 15 Mar Old Vinyl Factory Festival (UB3) Celebrate the heritage of the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes - a culturally rich location that once housed EMI, which was the largest record manufacturing site in the UK. There will be live music from local artists and performers, records for sale, food, and activities. 11.30am-5pm. https://discover.hillingdon. gov.uk/article/14160/OldVinyl-Factory-Festival?event id=0943-1756-2944-8011# Sat 15–Sun 16 Mar The London Festival of Railway Modelling (N22) Regarded as one of the UK’s biggest and best model railway exhibitions, The London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace is the must-attend event for anyone interested in miniature railways. Visitors can expect over 40 of the country’s best model railways handpicked by The Model Railway Club. You’ll find layouts from the UK and beyond covering all of the major scales/gauges. www.alexandrapalace.com/whatson/london-festival-of-railwaymodelling-2025 Sun 16 Mar Nowruz Family Day (N6) Fun for all ages, go to Lauderdale House and learn more about Nowruz with Persian-inspired crafts! This free workshop is a great way to celebrate (or introduce) Persian New Year with your little ones. There will be Haft-sin colouring pages and a Persianinspired tile craft. This interactive experience will foster creativity and a deeper connection to the rich traditions of Nowruz. www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/ whats-on/nowruz-family-day-25

Book your magical day out at:

12 Families North West London

Sun 23 Mar Spring Fair (N3) Finchley Women’s Institute present their Spring Fair at Stephens House and Gardens from 10am-5pm. Over 40 Stalls, offering an exciting variety of gifts and treats, created by local

artisans at affordable prices. www.stephenshouseandgardens. com/events Fri 28 Mar Dino Disco (SW7) What could be better than a dino disco? Head to the Natural History Museum for the best party in town! Take along the kids, show off your Jurassic jive and listen to your favourite tunes at this family-friendly headphone disco. This event is most suitable for children aged 6–12. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dino-disco. html Sat 29 Mar Family Workshop: Sensory Pottery (HA2) Get ready for a hands-on, sensory experience at the Family Pottery Workshop at Headstone Manor Museum! There will be both wet and dry clay, a potter’s wheel, and a variety of tools for creating unique designs. This workshop is suitable for ages 5+ only. www.headstonemanor.org/events/ family-workshop-sensory-pottery Sat 29–Sun 30 Mar & Sat 26–Sun 27 Apr Steam Up (TW8) Discover the fascinating world of water and steam at the Steam Ups! Share in the history and energy of the Kew Bridge Waterworks and marvel at the amazing working pumping engines that helped make London the city it is today. At the London Museum of Water & Steam. www.waterandsteam.org.uk/ event/11792/2025-03-29 Sat 29 Mar The Princess Proms in the Cathedral (AL1) You are invited to St Albans Cathedral for an enchanting concert singing the magical themes from your favourite Princess movies including Frozen, Cinderella, Little Mermaid plus many more. This show is suitable for all ages. www.stalbanscathedral.org/ Event/the-princess-proms-in-thecathedral

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WHAT’S ON Sat 5 Apr–Sun 1 Jun Aardman presents Lloyd of the Flies: Wetland Bug Hunt (SW13) Dive into the wonderful world of wetland insects with Lloyd and his new friend Dart the dragonfly at London Wetland Centre. Follow the trail to help Lloyd and tour guide Dart the dragonfly find Lloyd’s friends and family and make their way to the bug hotel. Use the Lloyd of the Flies AR Bug Hunt augmented reality trail app produced by Aardman to shrink down to fly size and see the world through insects’ eyes. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/ london/whats-on/events/aardmanpresents-lloyd-of-the-flieswetland-bug-hunt-4

By Nina Photography

Home Song at Unicorn Theatre

Sat 29 Mar-Fri 11 Apr Harrow Art Society Spring Exhibition (HA5) Harrow Art Society’s Spring 2025 exhibition will display works of art from all of its 90+ members at Harrow Arts Centre. Original art, paintings and sculptures by its members, both amateur artists and professionals, weekday and weekends, 10am - 5pm. FREE entry. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/harrow-art-society-springexhibition

APRIL From April Horrible Histories Terrible Thames Boat Tour Horrible Histories proudly presents its wicked river tour of the Terrible Thames. Tremble in terror at the Tower! Sizzle at the Savoy! Give Cleopatra the needle! Be washed away at Westminster! Lose yourself in Lambeth! Get gobsmacked by the Globe! Hold onto your head at London Bridge and escape from Execution Dock! Take a dive with Horrible Histories into the stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd, in this history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in! www.terriblethames.com Wed 2–Mon 21 Apr Easter Trail at Osterley (TW7) This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Osterley on an Easter trail. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ london/osterley-park-and-house Sat 5 Apr Northwood Craft Market (HA6) Taking place at Methodist Church Hall, Northwood from 10am-2pm, there will be a variety of handmade crafts to browse & buy. It’s the perfect place to find original gifts, or a treat for yourself. Children can try some hands-on crafts and make something to take home. www.northwoodcraftmarket.co.uk Sat 5–Sun 20 Apr Gnome Trail (HA2) Can you find those pesky gnomes hidden around Headstone Manor? Find them all and solve their puzzle to earn a prize! www.headstonemanor.org/events/ gnome-trail-2 Sat 5–Sun 20 Apr Tring: Eggsplore Eggs Trail (HP23) Put your egg-spotting skills to the test and see if you can spot all of the eggs hidden around the galleries at the Natural History Museum at Tring. Suitable for ages 5+. Trail sheets can be purchased from the shop on the Familiesonline.co.uk

day of your visit for £1. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/tringeggsplore-eggs-trail.html Sat 5–Mon 21 Apr Pilot Training (NW9) It’s chocks away as the RAF Museum is braced and ready to teach young aviators all the skills they need! Learn aircraft knowledge in Aircrew Needs You, test your reaction time with the Museum’s new challenge, master military strategy to find the fallen parachutist, train your teamwork skills with your fellow recruits and develop your problemsolving to crack the codes this Easter to earn your wings. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/ whats-going-on/events/pilottraining-london Sat 5–Mon 21 Apr Easter Holidays: Keeping London Moving (WC2E) This year Transport for London (TfL) is turning 25! Head to the London Transport Museum for a series of fun activities to celebrate highlights from the last 25 years and the people who have been part of that journey. Create your own invention to carry people across the Thames, map out your own transport network and join a storytelling about the people who make London’s buses keep moving. www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/ family-events/easter-holidayskeeping-london-moving Sat 5–Mon 21 Apr Supertato (TW9) Get ready for a spud-tastic family day out at Kew Gardens with Supertato and his heroic veggie friends! From discovering how fruits and veggies grow to exploring their shapes and colours, kids will enjoy hands-on activities while tackling fun challenges. Packed with music, movement and silliness, Supertato at Kew is the perfect mix of adventure and education. Join the super squad, protect our plant pals and make unforgettable family memories in this vibrant celebration of all things fruit and veg! www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whatson/supertato Sat 5–Mon 21 Apr Easter Eggstravaganza (AL4) Head to Willows Activity Farm for an egg-cellent day of family fun including an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Grotto, Easter arts and crafts, meet adorable animals including Easter bunnies, pig racing and lamb bottle feeding demonstrations – there really is something for every-bunny! The Easter Bunny will be hopping in every day on the outdoor show stage in his very own show too. www.willowsactivityfarm.com/ events

Sun 6 Apr Hop to it: Easter Trail (N3) Hop-on down to Stephens House and Gardens for their egg-citing Easter Trail. Follow the clues and claim your prize. You can start your trail anytime from 1-2.30pm. £5 per map/prize. Booking essential. www.stephenshouseandgardens. com/events Tue 8 Apr Around the World: Exploring History Workshop (HA5) A full day workshop for kids aged 6-12 at Harrow Arts Centre. This workshop is designed for children to create an artistic journey through history, with the help of professional creative practitioners. The project will take place in-person for a whole day, during which the participants will create background art, costume accessories, props, the script for the show and learn songs for the performance. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/around-the-world-exploringhistory-workshop

Tue 8 & Tue 15 Apr Tring: Bird Feeders with the RSPB (HP23) Go along to the Natural History Museum at Tring and make a free apple bird feeder while hearing all about the work of the RSPB and how you can become involved in helping nature. Drop in beteen 10am-4.30pm. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/tring-birdfeeders.html Wed 9 Apr Depot Family Tours (W3) Exclusively for family groups, head along to the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton to uncover stories about the very special vehicles in the collection. From the tons of poo that accompanied the first Horse Buses, to why trains have bogies, this highlights tour of our bus and train shed may surprise you! www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/ family-events/depot-family-tours Wed 9 Apr Family Workshop: Gnome Front Doors (HA2) There are Gnomes at Headstone Manor, where do you think they live? Go and make a miniature front door and imagine who lives behind it. Ages 5+. www.headstonemanor.org/events/ family-workshop-gnome-frontdoors Wed 9-Sun 13 Apr & Wed 16-Mon 21 Apr Easter Adventures at Waddesdon (HP18) This Easter the trail is jam-packed with lots of fun games and creative activities. Follow your map, get involved in each activity and don’t forget to collect your chocolate egg at the end! www.waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/ easter

Weekend Woodland Escape!

Celtic Harmony Camp, the Outdoor Prehistory Centre is a hidden gem in the Hertfordshire countryside just a stone’s throw from London, is now open every weekend! Explore the roundhouses, learn a new skill with resident craftspeople, adventure on a woodland walk, dip into creative activities and enjoy a delicious lunch in the new Woodland Bistro. The Woodland Bistro chefs prepare a range of seasonal dishes inspired by Celtic mediterranean style cuisine - from Celtic Broth, Focaccia bread filled with flavourful ingredients to quality burgers loaded with toppings and tender slow cooked beef in a bap. At weekend workshops, develop your skills and learn from local artisans the art of flintknapping, outdoor pottery and willow working. Spend the day at the Easter Dragon Quest, from Thursday 10 to Friday 18 April, adventure on the Dragon egg hunt through the woods, join the storytelling and drumming in the Chieftain Roundhouse and end your day on the magical fire procession. Find out more at celticharmony.org/events Families North West London 13

WHAT’S ON Thu 10 & Thu 17 Apr Junior Bat Walks (SW13) As darkness falls WWT London Wetland Centre becomes a truly magical place and one of the best places in London to see bats as they fly in at night to feed over the lakes and ponds. Children can now join a nocturnal adventure to find these mysterious creatures, using special bat detectors to hear their hunting calls. Finish up around the camp fire to share our stories and toast marshmallows. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/ london/whats-on/events/juniorbat-walks-1 Thu 10–Fri 18 April Weekend Woodland Escape at Celtic Harmony! (SG13) Spend the day at the Easter Dragon Quest, adventure on the Dragon egg hunt through the woods, join the storytelling and drumming in the Chieftain Roundhouse and end your day on the magical fire procession. Celtic Harmony Camp, the Outdoor Prehistory Centre is a hidden gem in the Hertfordshire countryside just a stone’s throw from London, is now open every weekend! Explore the roundhouses, learn a new skill with resident craftspeople, adventure on a woodland walk, dip into creative activities and enjoy a delicious lunch in the new Woodland Bistro with a range of seasonal dishes inspired by Celtic mediterranean style cuisine. At weekend workshops, develop your skills and learn from local artisans the art of flintknapping, outdoor pottery and willow working. www.celticharmony.org/events

Fri 11–Sat 12 Apr Games and Activities in Ruislip Woods (HA4) Join in with a gentle stroll, playing games and learning about Ruislip Woods as you walk. This family walk will start and end at the Woodlands Centre at Ruislip Lido and be followed by arts and crafts at the Woodland Centre. Ages 4+. For additional information, please call Diana on 07736 974497. www.discover.hillingdon.gov. uk/article/10696/Games-andactivities-in-Ruislip-Woods?event id=5970-0398-7252-0709

Wed 16 Apr Family Workshop: Gnome in a Cone (HA2) Save your socks for a special gnome themed pop-up toy at Headstone Manor Museum! You can turn your textile trash into treasure with a family fun keepsake that everyone can enjoy. There will be some fiddly sewing, using hot glue guns and painting so wear old clothes for this multi faceted craft. All materials provided. This workshop is suitable for ages 5+ only. www.headstonemanor.org/events/ family-workshop-gnome-in-a-cone

Sat 12–Sun 13 Apr English Civil War Weekend (HP8) Meet the Soldiers of the English Civil War at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Try-on the armour and have a look at the weapons used by soldiers of the Civil War. Find out what is a ‘Wall-Gun’ and how it can protect the Museum from attack. Younger visitors can be trained how to be soldiers by the Pikemen, and maybe can be persuaded to enlist before the regiment departs for Oxford. www.coam.org.uk/events/civilwar-2025

Fri 18–Mon 21 Apr Easter Quest (SG1) Hop on over to Knebworth Gardens & Park for an exciting Easter Quest adventure! The Easter Quest is a funfilled, interactive hunt that’s perfect for the whole family. Embark on a seasonal quest through the Gardens to find hidden eggs, solve riddles, and complete exciting challenges that lead you to an Easter prize. www.knebworthhouse.com/Event/ easter-quest

Mon 14 Apr SEN Shadow Puppet Theatre Workshop (HA5) Join in with this exciting shadow puppetry workshop at Harrow Arts Centre. Learn how to make your own shadow screen, shadow puppets and spend some time creating your own show. All materials provided and you’ll get to take your shadow puppets home. For families with SEN children aged 5+. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/learn-harrow-sen-shadowpuppet-theatre-workshop

CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Sat 19 Apr Easter Trail (HA5) Baby chicks are hatching all over Pinner Memorial Park. Can you help find them? Head to Heath Robinson Museum and grab a map, find the chicks and answer all the questions to complete the trail. Return with the answers to claim a special Easter prize. Prizes suitable for 3-10 years. www.heathrobinsonmuseum.org/ whats-on/easter-trail-chicks-arehatching-all-over-the-park-helpus-find-them

Sat 19–Mon 21 Apr Medieval Festival (HP8) Take a Journey to a Medieval Tournament at the Chiltern Open Air Museum. Go back to the 14th Century with The Plantagenet Medieval Society, who return to the Museum for three days of action, excitement and pageantry. Watch the arming of the knight and take part in some squire training. See how medieval archers would go hunting then have a go at archery yourself! Take part in some 14th Century dancing and become part of the medieval court. www.coam.org.uk/events/ medieval-festival-2025 Thu 24 Apr Mini Museum with Caterpillar Music (HA2) Join Bill the Duck in The Great Hall at Headstone Manor for lots of music and movement based around a theme each week. Use props, instruments, the parachute and off course bubbles at the end to relax and reflect on what has been learnt. For under 5’s ad their adults! www.headstonemanor.org/events/ mini-museum-with-caterpillarmusic Sun 27 Apr Bach to Baby Family Concert (NW6) Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the whole family to enjoy together. Featuring outstanding musicians and exhilarating performances in inspiring venues right on your doorstep. 3pm at Emmanuel Church in West Hampstead. www.bachtobaby.com/westhampstead-music-concerts-forbaby-and-family

19 to 21 April Medieval Festival

Find out how people used to live and work

Take a Journey Through Time

Visit Chiltern Open Air Museum this Spring a Looking for a day out that combines learning, fun and adventure? Then visit Chiltern Open Air Museum – an openair space where history comes to life for visitors of all ages. The museum is home to more than 30 historic buildings, each with its own story to tell. From traditional cottages to fascinating industrial buildings, your family can explore how people lived, worked, and played in different periods of history. Children will love stepping inside old-fashioned houses and learning about the past through displays, gardens and activities.

Visit www.coam.org.uk for full details Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB 14 Families North West London

Perfect for families, the museum offers an exciting, immersive experience that will entertain and educate children while providing an enjoyable day for parents and grandparents. The museum also hosts an exciting event programme of living history and re-enactments visit www.coam.org.uk for full details Familiesonline.co.uk

What's On Family Theatre & Shows The Alban Arena, St Albans 01727 844488 https://everyonetheatres.com/ theatres/the-alban-arena Mon 3–Tue 4 Mar Pirates Love Underpants Join the swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest! Ages 1+ Chickenshed, N14 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk Mon 14–Thu 17 Apr Easter Bunny Tales Join in for Easter-themed performances filled with enchanting stories, lively songs, and plenty of movement. Ages 0-6 Compass Theatre, UB10 01895 673 0200 www.hillingdontheatres.uk Wed 9–Sun 13 Apr Mother Goose and the Golden Easter Eggs Enjoy an Easter panto treat and follow the story of Mother Goose searching for beauty and wealth. Expect bundles of laughter, songs and endless audience interaction! Harrow Arts Centre, HA5 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com Sun 9 Mar Roald Dahl & The Imagination Seekers The show develops both creative and literacy skills through performance, games, and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories. Ages 5+ Sat 15 Mar The Light Princess A new musical adaptation of the beloved fairytale that promises to captivate audiences of all ages featuring beautiful songs, interactive antics and an inspiring story of selfdiscovery. Ages 4+ Fri 11–Mon 14 Apr Robin Hood Follow the exciting escapades of our dashing hero and his loyal band of merry men in this madcap, medieval romp, as Robin fights to restore justice for the people of Sherwood, win the heart of the beautiful Maid Marion and rid the land from the avaricious Sheriff of Nottingham once and for all. Ages 4+ Little Angel Theatre, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com Until Sun 27 Apr A Squash and a Squeeze Join us for this heartwarming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs. Ages 3+ Until Sat 19 Apr Little Angel Theatre’s Miniature Travelling Circus Roll up! Roll up! Take your seats Familiesonline.co.uk

for the smallest circus in town. Join From performing mice to acrobatic fleas – this circus has stars you won’t see anywhere else! Ages 2+ Pump House, Watford WD17 01923 241 362 www.pumphouse.info

Thu 20–Sat 22 Mar Dragons This brand-new musical set to an existing song cycle by Nick Toczek and Malcolm Singer will feature live dragons along with an engaging story that shows there is a little bit of dragon in all of us. Puppet Theatre Barge Little Venice W9 (16 Jul-18 Sep in Richmond TW10) 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com Until Sun 30 Mar The Flight of Babushka Baboon This dreamlike production uses string marionettes, shadow puppets and moving poetry to tell the story of Babushka baboon’s journey. Ages 4-10 Sat 5–Mon 21 Apr My Shadow and Me My Shadow and Me by Drew Colby is like a cartoon created live out of nothing but darkness and light. One person (and his shadow) meet and go on an incredible, imaginative, shadowy journey where creatures emerge, engage and transform beautifully. Ages 4+

Thu 17 Apr The Amazing Bubble Man Louis explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. Sat 26 Apr Milkshake! Live Join your favourite Milkshake! presenters for an all-new adventure! Pack your bags and jump aboard the Milkshake! train as we go on an all singing, all dancing holiday together! Ages 3-7 Mon 28–Wed 30 Apr Elmer Adventure Everyone loves the stories about Elmer the patchwork elephant – whether he’s pretending to be an ordinary grey elephant or playing a practical joke. Ages 3+ Sadler’s Wells Theatre London, EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com Mon 14–Tue 15 Apr Lets All Dance Ballet Company: Puss in Boots A new version of Puss in Boots about a friendship between a magical cat and a young man with a talent for music. Ages 2-14 The OVO Arena London, HA9 0844 815 0815 www.ovoarena.co.uk

Sat 26–Sun 27 Apr Anasi and The Lost Sun The ‘Anansi’ stories are humorous, lively and community-led stories that travelled with enslaved African people to the Caribbean and then to the UK with the Windrush generation. Ages 4+ The Radlett Centre, WD7 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk Tue 18–Wed 19 Mar There’s a Monster in Your Show Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. Ages 3+ Sat 22 Mar Snow White and Rose Red: The Ballet Based on the original tale by Brothers Grimm, the Let’s All Dance Ballet Company breathe fresh life into this quirky story. Ages 2-12 Sat 5 Apr Little Mermaid Packed with dazzling sets, colourful characters, choreography, original music and heaps of audience participation, this brand-new adaptation sees the adventurous Little Mermaid embark on an unforgettable adventure. Ages 4+ Tue 15 Apr Wizard of Oz Join Kansas farm-girl Dorothy and her pet dog Toto on this magical adventure suitable for all ages.

Sat 7-Sun 8 July PAW Patrol Live! ‘The Great Pirate Adventure’ is Coming to London. This actionpacked, music-filled production will see Ryder and his team of pups embark on a piratethemed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. Do not miss this PAWsome opportunity to see the whole pack live on stage. Sign up at www.PAWPatrolLive.co.uk for exclusive deals and to be the first to know when tickets are available and bag the best seats in the house! www.pawpatrollive.co.uk/#cityselector Unicorn Theatre, SE1 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com Until Sun 9 Mar Home Song A multi-sensory show featuring puppetry, interactive soundscapes and a capella singing throughout, Home Song creates a vivid and soothing musical experience for you and your baby to join in. Ages 6-18 months

Sat 22 Mar–Sun 4 May Beegu Lost on Earth after her spaceship crashes, Beegu wanders off to find some friends. She is a friendly little creature, but the Earth People don’t seem very welcoming at all. Ages 3-7 Sat 29 Mar–Sat 19 Apr Little Night Let your little ones explore, engage, and delight in the wonders of their own imagination. Whether it’s a playful pursuit or a daring chase, the show uses interactive projections that transform into ever-changing shapes and hues at the gentle touch of tiny fingers. Ages 18 months-4 Watersmeet, WD3 01923 711 063 www.watersmeet.co.uk Tue 15 Apr The Wizard of Oz Are you ready to embark on a magical adventure like no other? Prepare to experience the beloved story like never before. Follow Dorothy, a girl from Kansas, as she’s whisked away by a tornado to the Merry Old Land of Oz! Joined by her loyal friends – The Scarecrow, The Tinman and The Cowardly Lion Dorothy sets out on a quest to meet the mighty Wizard, hoping he can help her find her way back home. Tue 22 Apr The Dinosaur Time Warp Are you ready for the journey of a lifetime? Join these palaeontologist friends as they embark on an exciting adventure through the jungle to meet Babsy the Mad Scientist and use her new time machine to take them back in time to meet their favourite dinosaurs in person. Ages 3-8 Watford Palace Theatre, WD17 01923 225 671 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Sat 22 Mar WiFi Wars The live comedy game show where you all play along! Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes to win the show and prizes! Ages 6+ Wed 12–Thu 13 Mar There’s a Monster in your Show Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. Ages 3+ Mon 14 Apr Dinosaur Adventure Live: The Big Jurassic Storm Get ready for a brand-new adventure. When a satellite tasked with controlling the island’s weather systems malfunctions, chaos erupts. The island’s tropical climate spirals leading to one big Jurrasic storm, If not stopped, it will erase all existence of the island… forever! The mission: find the code hidden deep within the island, reboot the satellite and save the dinosaurs before it’s too late. Ages 0+ Families North West London 15

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