8 Things To Do With The Kids This Half Term

It might just be my favourite season yet!!! Halloween! Not only because it's the spookiest time of the year, but half term is here, which means no school for Leanora and some time off from work for me. 

I am a planner, it is a simple as that I always like to know what I am doing and plan some fun activities in the half term. So I decided to share some not only fun activities to do, but days out and places to go an eat, in my 8 Things To Do With The Kids This Half Term.

Neat Burger

We recently attended Neat Burger over in Central London, and all I can say is you must go. For kids it is perfect they have their own menu which is super affordable, plus it is a really decent amount of food that they get, even my little piggy couldn't finish it all. Neat Burger is full of flavour and I have to say one of my favourite Vegan burger spots. 

Ice Skating - Natural History Museum 

Can you believe this is the final year that you will be able to skate at the Natural history Museum, so get your skates on and getting booking this exhbition will be running from the 22nd October and closes its doors on the 16th January 2022. 

Hocus Pocus at The Cinema

My all time favourite 90's film has to be Hocus Pocus, and this Halooween, Vue cinemas are showing this across London, so grab some popcorn and get booking and settle in to watch this spooky movie. 

London Dungeon

Halloween upon us and looking for a fright and something spooky to do, London Dungeons is perfect for an afternoon of fun and fright to get you in to the spooktacular Halloween mood. 

Kew Gardens

Get your coats and scarves on, and lets head out on an adventure and hunt for the Gruffalo. Kew Gardens this half term  have fun surprises installed for you all as you go on a magical adventure through the deep dark wood. You’ll meet familiar beloved characters from author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s book, including Fox, Owl, Snake, the Gruffalo, the Gruffalo’s Child and of course, the Big Bad Mouse.

Science Kit

Just because the kids are off school doesn't mean you can not learn whilst at home. Lets get scienced up and learning, there are loads of great science kits you can buy on Amazon and I've linked some of our favourites here. 

Colour In 

I am a big kid at hear and I've always been a little particular when it comes too colouring in and staying in the lines in paramount! When not being that weirdo mum, Leanora and I love to do a three colour challenge where you close your eyes and pick on ly 3 colours and you have to colour in with just those colours or creat your own masterpiece with just those. needing a little spooktacular inspiration The Everymom has some free downloadable's. 

Egg Carton Halloween Crafts

Before Leanora I was never much of an Halloween person, dressing upa ll that jazz was not for me, but send me into the stationary store Rymans  I am guaranteed to come out in my weight of paints, pens, pencils you absolutely name it! We will be making these super egg carton halloween characters and its a great way of decoration and crafting together with the kids. 

Don’t forget you can also follow me over on Instagram or by using the #LondonMumma tag to show me what you get up to or keep up to date on what’s new on the blog via Bloglovin!

Lindsey

Building Creative Courage With Stagecoach

FREAKING AWESOME! These were the first words out of Leanora’s mouth, after her first class at Stagecoach.

Leanora was invited to attend a two week trial class, with Stagecoach, they hold performing art classes throughout London. My baby is a little shy (you wouldn’t believe it but she really is) and felt a little uneasy about attending. She did not know if she would make new friends, let alone what to expect from the classes, but I assured her she will make lots of new friends, have fun and more importantly learn new skills and unleash some hidden talents. To this she smiled and headed in.

Not familiar with Stagecoach? Don't worry let me help fill you in, their mission is to help their students blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace life and all its opportunities. With over 30 years experience teaching the performing arts, it is safe to say they are more than confident in what they do

The few classes Leanora has had I saw an instant uplift and confidence and this is what our children need, especially due to the last year's challenges of the pandemic, that they had to face, so this is a great outlet for them to come back together in a safe creative space. 

Performing Arts Benefits our children in so many different ways, such as boosting their confidence, self-esteem and, mental wellbeing, as well as allowing our children to help express themselves in a creative and safe environment. They don't just offer Children Acting Classes, but also teach singing and dancing. Leanora even informed me that they did maths  and english or should I say 'fun maths' her words and I have never seen her more eager to run home and practice what she learnt. 

Stagecoach Performing Arts has never been so needed, it offers our children continuity and continuity is certainly what is needed for them at this time.

With everything being so up and down a little a little regularity is great, it gives them confidence in something to look forward to, they know what is happening and the added bonus, is that they will get to see their friends and have fun at the same time leaning something new. 

Singing, dancing and acting is also a great source of fitness. With us not being able to be as active as we once were due to lockdown, I don't know about you but my body felt a little tight, so these activities are a great source of movement from head to toe  to get the kiddos moving. 

I highly recommend you check out Stagecoach and get your kids signed up. You can find more about them here.

Do your children attend Stagecoach or something similar? What are your thoughts? or maybe Let us know in the comments below. 

Don’t forget you can also follow me over on Instagram or by using the #LondonMumma tag to show me what you get up to or keep up to date on what’s new on the blog via Bloglovin and you can follow me on Pinterest for some more summer fun.

Lindsey

Disclaimer: this is a paid collaborative post but all words are my own 

Van Gogh - Alive Exhibition

London has just closed it's doors on the Van Gogh Alive Exhibition in London, Kensington, it was the most beautiful immersive exhibition I have seen in my life time.

I have always been curious to learn more about Vincent Van Gogh and the team over at Timothy James & Partners  were able to make my dreams come true and my girl Leanora too. We were able to delve deep down into the creative mind of Van Gogh together as a family.

Timothy James independent financial advisers have a huge appreciation for art and are proud to be the official sponsor of the Van Gogh Alive - The Experience in London. This immersive experience would not have been possible without them.

Thirsty for knowledge? Our journey starts at the beginning so let’s dive in shall we!

Van Gogh a Post-Impressionist painter born in 1853 in a small town south of Netherlands, was a self-taught artist who did not find his true passion until his late 20's. Within 10 years he produced more than 2,000 works of art, 930 of that was oil paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. He only managed to sell a handful of these in his own lifetime, which include landscapes, still lifes, portraits and self-portraits.

It is truly a magnificent experience, and those lucky or unlucky enough to see Van Gogh’s artwork in real life are in for a real treat in experiencing his work in this virtual way. I do not even think my pictures truly capture its beauty, the colour and the music that accompanies this exhibition is truly remarkable and I can’t sing its praises more. It made for a wonderful day out with Leanora, just being able to get lost in the beauty of his artwork is magical, even for those who are not major art fans, just getting to learn more about Van Gogh and seeing, no feeling his artwork projected in this way is truly beautiful and an experience to be hold. 

They visually put this together in the most remarkable way, the art work is projected on a 360-degree digital  floor-to-ceiling projection is a wonderful artistic experience, where you are completely engulfed into more than 300 of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings, and paintings through the use of floor-to-ceiling digital projections.

I have to say a massive thank you to Timothy James for opening our eyes and being able to experience this exhibition and while this exhibition may have just closed its doors here in London I do know that they are heading over to Salford Quays next in October and running until early next year, then shortly after over in Birmingham. I can’t recommend it enough! If you live in those areas, why not grab some family and friends and make a whole day of it and immerse yourself in the world of Van Gogh, you can find tickets and more information here.  

After a lovely time spent at the Van Gogh Immersive experience, we set off to one of  our favourite places to eat in Soho, which we recently posted about in Where to eat in London.

Have you attended Van Gogh Alive exhibition what did you think?

Don’t forget you can also follow me over on Instagram or by using the #LondonMumma tag to show me what you get up to or keep up to date on what’s new on the blog via Bloglovin and you can follow me on Pinterest for some more fun days out.

Lindsey

Disclaimer: this is a paid collaborative post but all words are my own 

5 Family Favourite Rainy Day Activities

We. Love. A. Rainy. Day. Nothing quite says Autumn is hear than with a little rain and a chill in the air. To be honest we are always out every weekend hands down guaranteed, always doing fun things in and around London, but this weekend I thought we stick a little closer to home and enjoy the leaves and rain falling from inside our home. 

Uno

You know, I've never played this game up until recently and I do not know why, Leanora and I love it, it makes for a great family rain day game, granted I always lose, but it also helps with Leanora's maths, so winning all round....well me losing

Bake

With the kids settled back into school I plan on getting our aprons on and making the traditional school cake, I did have this on the blog, but knowing me I've accidentally deleted it, but you can find the recipe up on my Instagram here. But fret not i will certainly be putting it back up on here next week. I think there is something so satisfying about baking and baking with kids is fun, well until they make a mess, but eating our end result together is a sweet treat in itself. 

Addams Family

My favourite 90's family movie, recently adapted in to an animated film, the second installment comes out next Friday, I've already pre-ordered our cinema tickets and very excited about going, so this weekend why not give yourself a little refresher and watch the movie version it is a great spooktacular way to start off the spooky halloween month, plus you can snack on our ghost pretzels whilst watching.

Sea Life

Always eager to learn and explore, why not head over to the beautiful wonders of Sea World, we always go tot he one in Chessington, but there are so many more dotted in and around London, it makes for a great day of spotting Dory and also keeps you sheltered from the rain all at the same time about learning about some magical undersea creatures. 

Go puddle jumping 

Ok, whilst I hate getting wet, the kids don't so I say hell with it and fully embrace these wetter months, get your wellies and raincoats on and head on out of the house, for some little exercise and a splash of puddle jumping with the kids then warm up with a coffe or hot chocolate and your favourite pastry.

What are your favourite rainy day activities? Let us know in the comments below. 

Don’t forget you can also follow me over on Instagram or by using the #LondonMumma tag to show me what you get up to  on this rainy weekend or keep up to date on what’s new on the blog via Bloglovin and you can follow me on Pinterest for some more summer fun.

Lindsey