Winter 2008/9 Events for families

Take the family's great holiday offerings

Need some great things to try for the next month or two?

Take a look at our list of top family things to do & places to stay in the UK this Winter:

Experience - Enjoy and Make - Go See - Special Appearances not to miss - Stay over

 

Family Experience

 

  • *'Juice'; A brand new festival inspired by and created for children and young people - 'NewcastleGateshead' Highlights include -
    - Northern Children’s Book Festival. 22 Nov 10am to 4pm for ages 5 to 15yrs. Newcastle Civic Centre
    - Theatre Juice. An evening of work by the region’s best young performers including an exciting and diverse mix of short pieces by local directors. (For ages 10+; performance on 29 October at Northern Stage)
  • *The Eureka! (Museum for Children)
    - Journey to the North Pole 1 to 23 Dec 2008 - 23/12/2008, Take a magical journey to the North Pole this Christmas without taking more than a few steps, where, with a little imagination, you’ll cross land and sea to reach Father Christmas' \Grotto. Open weekdays - check with Eureka for times.
  • *DISCOLOCO: 9 Nov, 14 Dec.2pm-5pm, Chats Palace, Hackney. Embarrassing dads now have an excuse to go crazy on the dance floor. Disco Loco invites all parents and children to boogie on down together. Dance to funk, soul and rock 'n roll for hours and still get an early night! Suitable for cool parents and kids not quite old enough to think otherwise...
  • *Visit one of London's City Farms, community-managed farm projects across the capital. If you're wondering where can you find alpacas, llamas and chickens, join a gardening club and learn to ride, then look no futher, and support your local community.
  • *Try Upland Escapes selection of guided walks in the Cotswolds that vary in length from an hour to the whole day, some with gormet packed lunches, or pub stops.
  • *Go to Fame School - & discover your inner X-factor with this day at Sylvia Young's fame academy
  • *Recreational giant tree climbing for all in Cornwall with 'Mightly Oak', secured by the latest safety equipment. Cost of guided climbing session and one night's camping £140 per person. Telephone: 07890 698651.
  • *Take a family 'BushCraft' Masterclass, a la Ray Mears, with Wilderness Gathering Ltd in Wiltshire
  • *Organise a family Patrol, along a section of Northumberland's Hadrian's Wall, with a visit to Housesteads Castle.

 

Family Enjoy and Make

 

  • *Saturday Storytime - I'm Just Not Keen on Spiders - Charlie & Lola, Sat 8 Nov 3 to 3:30pm, Bournemouth Arcade. Suitable for ages 3 to 6 yrs. 01202 299449
  • *Roald Dahl Museum:
    Gloriumptious pre-Christmas event Saturday 29 November. For all ages: Late night shopping and special offers, storytelling, mulled wine, music and lots of fantabulous festive fun. 
  • *Juice Festival at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle
    *- Toddler Tuesday    , 10:45-11:45, 11/18/25 November. Activities will explore shape, colour and texture using a variety of materials. Don’t wear your Sunday best - it'll get messy!
    *- Busy Bees    , Free Activities for young artists inspired by our exhibitions, as well as upcoming Christmas decoration making on 6/7 Dec and 13/14 Dec. Free. Suitable for accompanied kids under 12.
  • *The Kids' Cookery School, After School Cookery Club - for ages 5 to 11 yrs. Autumn Term - £5 per session of 1½ hours, 3:45pm.
  • *The Eureka! (Museum for Children): Boxing Days - 27 Dec to 4 Jan. If your kids enjoy the boxes more than the presents inside, drop in for junk modelling.
  • *Eden Project - The Ice Rink is Open, October 25th to Feb 22nd, £5 for 40 mins, 6 week skating courses, and Under 5s Ice Playtime, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings between 10am and 11.40am starting on Thurs 6 November. £2.50 per session per child
  • *Free Magic Carpet Story telling at the National Gallery for kids under 5 years. Every Sunday 11.30am to 12pm until 21 Dec.

 

Family Go See

 

  • *A November Day: Theatre Royal Bath (The Egg), Wed Nov 19 to Sat Nov 22, See link for performance times. To mark the 90th anniversary of the ending of the First World War, Thingumajig Theatre tell the story of one survivor’s memories.
  • *CBeebies Treasure Hunt - Live The CBeebies need your help to find the treasure this Christmas - Join their interactive show with Stephanie from Lazy Town, Squiglet, Boo and The Koala Brothers, the Jakes on Mr Tumble's farm, Postman Pat, Pingu, the Tweenies and more. Shows Nationwide, 11 Dec to Jan 2.
  • *The Tiger Who Came To Tea: (For Over 3s): Nov 13-15, 11am & 1pm. Stripes, roars and claws in a musical adaptation of Judith Kerr's classic story. Richmond Theatre.
  • *Rich Mix Kids Cine Time: 35-47 Bethnal Green, Shoreditch. See reasonably recently released family films at affordable prices. Kids £1.50, with an accompanying adult Free, additional adults £1.50. Until Sat Dec 28. Sat and Sundays at 11am.
  • *Blackheath Fireworks Display: 8 Nov. Fireworks start at 8pm. FREE.
  • *Lord Mayor's Firework Display: 8 Nov. From 5pm. FREE
  • *Fireworks at Alexandra Palace: 8 Nov 4.30pm-11pm; fireworks at 7.30pm. Free - Suggested donations - adults £2, kids £1.50

 

Family Special Appearances not to miss

 

  • *MCFLY - Switching on the Christmas lights in Regent St, Thurs 6 Nov at about 5:30. Roads closed 5-7pm.
  • *Geri Halliwell Ugenia Lavender series book signing, Bluewater Winter Wonderland Christmas Area, Thurs 6 November 4pm
  • *Meet Gervase Phinn, 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars' book signing, Waterstones Bristol Galleries Thurs 6 Nov 4-5pm. 01322 624831
  • *Meet Horrid Henry - Meet Henry himself and have photos taken, Waterstones Bromley Glades, Sat 8 Nov, 10 to 5pm 020 8460 6037
  • * Meet Maisy! - Everybody's favourite mouse Maisy will be making apperances through-out the day as wll as judging our colouring competition for which first place gets a fabulous prize!, Waterstones Redditch, Sat, 15 Nov 10 to 4:30pm. 01527 60509
  • *Thomas and The Fat Controller Story Reading - The Fat Controller will be in our store reading stories about his favourites engine, Thomas. There will be fun, games and activities. Sat 29 Nov, 2pm to 4pm. 01252 724666
  • *Meet David Walliams AND (Legendary Roald Dahl illustrator) Quentin Blake, Thurs 4 Dec, 4:30 to 5:30pm, Foyles at Selfridges, Lower Ground floor. The pair will be signing copies of Walliams' new book The Boy in The Dress, aimed at 8 to 12 year olds.

 

Family Stay Over

 

  • *New Center Parcs Woodland Lodge and Executive Lodges - Save £100
  • *Stay at a Feather Down Farm - enjoy farm life from the comfort of your luxury tented accommodation. 17 to choose.
  • *Bluestone - Save 25% on Autumn breaks. Take a family break at the recently opened Bluestone holiday village, with Blue Lagoon open to the public at selected times.
  • *Try a great range of autumn activities for familes at any of Luxury Family Hotels in the UK.

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