Activities for the School Holidays

Websites to look at Timeout London for ideas for the whole of London. Mumsnet Hackney for things to do / events on in the local area. www.visitlondon.com http://www.hackney.gov.uk/christmas For lots of information about the various markets and events happening in Hackney.

Sutton House Christmas Sutton House is a Tudor manor house in Homerton High Street. It will host a Christmas fair, open Saturday and Sunday each weekend, themed around pantomimes. The magnificent Tudor house provides the perfect setting for the pantomime themed Christmas event combined with the opportunity to find original and quality Christmas gifts. ‘Sutton House will be transformed into a winter wonderland with each room representing a different pantomime theme; the rooms will be dressed accordingly and include live action characters. Themes include Jack & The Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Puss In Boots, Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks, Snow White, Alice In Wonderland, The Beauty and The Beast, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Robin Hood, and Wizard Of Oz. The icing on the Christmas cake will be the opportunity for children to meet Santa.’ Tickets: £5.50 (adults); £2.75 (children); free (under 5's)

Santa at Battersea Park Children's Zoo ‘Santa's spending some time getting to know Battersea Park Children's Zoo's animals this December, and children are welcome to come and visit him. Visitors to his grotto can share their Christmas wish list and will receive a sticker, small gift, drink and Christmas treat. Times can be booked in advance on 0207 924 5826 or upon entry to the zoo, and the £6 ticket price is in addition to the usual admission fee.’ Open 10.00am-4.30pm in Winter. Tickets are usual entrance fee + £6 Nearest Station: Battersea Park Rail.

The Christmas Forest ‘Every tree sold at these pop-up forests springing up in the capital will result in another tree being planted in the drylands of Africa via the Charity Tree Aid. This year they hope to hot their 200,00th tree, helping to re-green environments and improve the lives of families living in Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Mali. Ten forests will be selling trees, holly, mistletoe and wreaths.’ There will be a forest in Lea Valley and Stoke Newington. Trees starting from £15

Go and see the Christmas Lights! Oxford Street Regent’s Street Carnaby Street Covent Garden Illuminations Bond Street Southbank Don’t forget to visit the Trafalgar Square magnificent Christmas tree- a present from Norway!

#Stretch4Syria Yoga Stars: Yoga and Play Day. Yoga for families and yoga for all! Saturday December 10th 2016 10:30am until 2:30pm The Bath House Children’s Community Centre The Old Warm Baths 76 Shacklewell Lane, London E8 2EY

Peter Pan & Southbank Christmas Market Old classic has had a revamp and is being performed at the National Theatre on the Southbank. Tickets start from £15 Running from now until Thursday 29th December. Christmas Market running along the Southbank selling festive food, drink, gifts and treats.

Evergreen Adventure Playground ‘Evergreen is open all year round providing free, supervised, challenging play to all children aged 5- 15 years. Situated in just under an acre of land, we have large playground structures for free child led play and a purpose built play building with a soft play room, sports hall with table tennis, pool table, table football and basket ball. An arts and crafts room is the place to be if you enjoy being arty! You can experiment with different art mediums such as clay, textiles and papier mache.’ Opening Hours: Term Time: Tuesday - Friday 4pm - 7pm                   Saturday 12pm - 5pm School Holidays: Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm All children need to bring their own snacks and a packed lunch during holiday periods as we do not provide food. Free timetable of arts, cooking and sports. In Dalston, E8 3JT

Take a trip to one of London’s world famous department stores Harrods Liberty Selfridges Harvey Nicks All have dedicated Christmas departments and shops full of magical decorations.

Visit London’s Wonderful Green Open Spaces Hyde Park Regent’s Park Primrose Hill Hampstead Heath Victoria Park Battersea Park Brockwell Park St James’s Park Greenwich Park Kensington Gardens Crystal Palace Park Green Park Richmond Park Clissold Park Woodberry wetlands Hackney Downs Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Finsbury Park

The Geffrye Museum Each year, the Geffrye Museum’s eleven period living rooms are transformed with authentic festive decorations, lighting, music and greenery to give visitors a magical glimpse into how Christmas has been celebrated in English middle-class homes over the past 400 years. 'O Christmas Tree‘ event for children: Saturday 10 December, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm. Free Create crazy Christmas decorations to hang on your tree.

Christmas at Kew ‘There’s something for everyone at this festive time of year as our one mile sparkling path winds its way through the Gardens in a magical after dark experience. A botanical wonderland awaits, with brightly coloured laser beams dancing over water, a Tunnel of Lights, scented Fire Garden and fairy-tale avenues of flora. Santa and his elves will be in the North Pole village, plus favourite vintage rides, Christmas gifts and traditional festive fare.’ Running until 2nd Jan, from 5pm-10pm. Tickets must be booked in advance £10 for a child and £15 for an adult.

Ice-Skating Alexandra Palace Canary Wharf Somerset House- Temple Natural History Museum- South Kensington Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park Tower of London Broadgate- Square Mile

Museum Of London Come face-to-face with Santa at the Museum of London in the Victorian Santa’s Grotto. Set in an atmospheric Victorian street, the grotto gives little ones the perfect opportunity to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. They’ll also receive a special gift. Take a photo of this magical moment home with you for an additional £8. There is also an exhibition on about the Great Fire of London (year 2 have been learning about this.) Entrance to the Museum is free. 150 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5HN

New Year’s Day Parade Watch the spectacular New Year’s Day Parade along the streets of Central London this New Year’s Day. Every year, dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, marching bands, historic vehicles and more assemble in the heart of the capital for a colourful celebration of contemporary performances and traditional pomp and ceremony. With more than 8,000 performers representing the London boroughs and countries from across the globe, this fantastic event attracts around 500,000 spectators and live television broadcasts in the UK and abroad. Catch the festivities along the parade route, which runs from Green Park Tube station at 12pm, to Parliament Square at around 3.30pm, via Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

The Museum of Childhood The museum of childhood is free to enter. In Bethnal Green Inviting children to seek out 12 Christmas objects around the museum through a playful paper origami trail created for all ages. Also screening some festive family movies. £5 per person (free for ages 0-2) From The Muppet Christmas Carol (27 Dec) to Bugsy Malone (28 Dec) and Jumanji (29 Dec), accompanied by special making activities inspired by the films.

Don’t forget all the wonderful museums and art galleries London has to offer! The Science Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum The Natural History Museum The British Museum The Museum of London Docklands The Design Museum The National Gallery The National Portrait Gallery ALL FREE!

Hoxton market Christmas knees up 17 December, 10am - 4pm Choirs from Shoreditch churches will fill the streets with Christmas carols alongside traditional and festive stalls. Hoxton market.

Coram’s Fields in Holborn Coram's Fields is a unique seven acre playground and park for children living in or visiting London. It is open access, provides a calm, safe and stimulating environment where children can play freely and enjoy a varied programme of activities. Also includes a city farm. Entrance is free for all accompanying a child. Open from 9am until dusk.

Other Ideas Santa comes to Leicester Square Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park Make, bake, create! http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/christmas-kids