Festive Family Fun this Christmas

Days Out

Festive Family Fun this Christmas

There's so much on offer in London every year, that sometimes the choice can be a little overwhelming. We have taken the hassle out of deciding where to take the family this Christmas for a fun festive day or night out.

Theatres..

The Snowman Nov 30th - Jan 8th, Peacock Theatre, WC2, from £12 A wonderful offering from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, who present a time honoured Christmas story suitable for all ages. Delight in dancing pineapples and penguins, winter wonderlands, the snowman’s ball, and a narrow escape from Jack Frost. Children and adults alike will be spellbound. www.sadlerswells.com
Matilda The Musical Cambridge Theatre, WC2, Until Feb 12th 2012, from £20 This children’s classic has finally been transported to the stage, just in time for Christmas. Younger children may find the production – and Miss Trunchbull – slightly scary, but the play is billed as family friendly. Maybe just be ready to lend a hand to cover little eyes during the more fretful bits. www.matildathemusical.com
Pinocchio Museum of Childhood, E2, 28th & 29th Dec, £3.50 A lovely traditional puppet show featuring hand carved wooden puppets of Pinocchio and his cricket friend. It has specially composed music and songs, and tells the magic of the original Italian story. www.vam.ac.uk
Dick Whittington New Wimbledon Theatre, SW19, 9th Dec - 15th Jan, £8 - £11 Taking the family to a pantomime always puts them in the Christmas mood. A host of famous names, such as Dame Edna Everage and Sam Attwater, make this year’s pantomime a roaring hit. Children will love watching Dick and his famous cat as they get up to all sorts of mischief with the rat, the Fairy of the Bells, and the Pantomime King. www.atgtickets.com

Days Out..

The Enchanted Christmas House Islington N1, 1-12yrs, £49 each (booking essential) Take a tour through the Christmas House, where children can peek into the bustling Elves Workshop, have a look around Mrs. Claus’s sitting room, and make their own gingerbread men in the kitchen. They can also dress up, listen to stories and perform puppet plays, and finally enjoy meeting Santa, who will give them a special present each. The day is completed with a festive hot meal, even including a cheeky mulled wine for mums and dads. NB: Check their website, as some dates have 50% off ticket prices. www.christmas.enchantedhouse.net
Winter Wonderland Weekend London Wetland Centre, Barnes SW13, 10th-11th Dec, £5.85-£10.55 What a lot of W’s! At the Wetland Centre this Christmas there are lots of storytelling and crafts days – and on the 10th/11th December weekend, you can take younger children to visit Santa in his grotto, and on a wonderful husky-drawn sleigh ride (ages 8 & under). You can also have your photo taken with these cuddly dogs as a great festive souvenir. www.wwt.org.uk
Christmas Pantomime London Wetland Centre, Barnes SW13, 17th - 20th Dec, 5yrs+ £6 The Wetland Centre are also putting on their very own animal-filled pantomime, complete with wicked witches and magic spells. There are two performances a day, and tickets do not include entry to the Centre. www.wwt.org.uk
Festive Family Activities London Wetland Centre, Barnes SW13, 21st Dec - 5th Jan If you can’t make it to the Wonderland or Pantomime weekends, don’t worry: there are still plenty of wintery offerings from the Wetland Centre. There’s a Christmas themed trail around the wetlands, a crackling fire burning in the yurt, where children are welcomed to sit and make snowflakes or listen to some stories. Family craft sessions are a great place to make a family wreath, a yuletide log, or some decorations for the Christmas tree at home. www.atgtickets.com
The Enchanted Woodland Syon House and Park, Brentford, Middx TW8, This annual event is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. Syon House’s arboretum is decked out with sparkling coloured lights, guiding you for an hour around the trees and frosted lake. There are refreshments available in The Refectory in the Garden Centre, and children must be accompanied. www.syonpark.co.uk
Christmas at Kew Gardens Kew TW9, adults £13.50, children under 17 free, 10th Dec - 2nd Jan, 9.30am - 4.15pm Kew Gardens hosts a guided Winter Walk, complete with Santa’s Grotto, face painting and carousel rides on the Kew Palace lawn. www.kew.org

Activities..

Screen Print Christmas Workshop

Horniman Museum, SE23, 3rd & 10th Dec, £3, 3+

A lovely hour spent creating Christmas cards by printing images onto card and envelope paper.
www.list.co.uk

FFC: Christmas Party!

The Barbican, EC2Y, 10th Dec, 11am, £3-£5, all ages

The Barbican’s annual Christmas party comprises a series of festive workshops, live entertainment, a sneak preview of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’, and of course a visit from Father Christmas.
www.barbican.org.uk

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Festive Family Fun this Christmas

Days Out