Royal Parks Nature Roadshow

The Royal Parks of St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens are holding Nature Roadshows on Wednesday, May 29th and Friday, May 31st respectively. Head down during half term for a wild nature experience. Engage in a scavenger hunt and get into the spring spirit, use binoculars to observe nature and creatures up close, and participate in interactive, nature-themed games and crafts.

The range of activities are perfect for all the family and all aspiring environmentalists.

Whilst you’re free to drop in at any time between 11am and 3pm and join the activities, Royal Parks asks that you register online so they have an idea on numbers.

Address: St James’s Park, SW1A 2BJ – Marlborough Gate Lawn
Kensington Gardens, W2 2UH – Next to Italian Gardens

Women in Science Tour – Natural History Museum

Find out about inspirational women scientists across history in this award-winning guided tour on Tuesday, 28th May (tour starts at 1.15pm).

You’ll hear about their passions and fascinating work past and present (including scientists who’ve worked at the museum). Also discover the displays and view many treasures such as the specimens collected by Mary Anning. Tours vary slightly, but Dorothea Bate, Sara Russell, Barbara Yelverton, Angela Milner, Miranda Lowe and Nadine Gabriel are amongst those regularly covered. Here’s the full list of some of the amazing people you may hear about:

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/highlights-women-in-science-tour.html

Whilst the museum tries to accommodate walk-ins, priority is given to ticket holders. Find out more and book FREE tickets.

The recommended age for the tour is 11 years and over.

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD (meet at the 1st Floor Hintze Hall, by Guy the Gorilla, next to the Treasures gallery).

Drop in Design: Experiments with Photography

During half term, the V&A Museum is holding a free drop-in workshop for budding Baileys and Bourke-Whites to experiment with new photography techniques.

From Wednesday, 29th May until Friday, 31st May (11am-4pm) join artists Chahine Fellahi and Kaïs Aïouch from Kimiā Collective. This Casablanca-based collective is dedicated to experimental practices in moving image, photography and media art. Create a wide range of images using materials, tools and skills from early photography to the modern day. Be inspired by their artwork (and the Museum’s new Photography Centre) and experiment with different techniques; make your own camera and create photographs minus a camera.

All materials are provided and all images created can be brought home. More details on Drop in Design: Experiments with Photography.

Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL

Bella Hoare Exhibition – OXO Tower

Emerging artist Bella Hoare’s captivating exhibition, A Different Green, is taking place at the OXO Tower on London’s South Bank from Wednesday, 22nd May until Sunday, 2nd June.

This free family-friendly garden themed exhibition features over 20 beautiful paintings inspired by both the natural world and feminine power.

On display is Hoare’s “Green Goddess” series – a contemporary twist on the pagan figure of the “Green Man,” which celebrates feminine wisdom and strength in the natural world. Also exhibited is her “Glasshouse” series featuring portraits of women from The Glasshouse, a social enterprise, which provides second chances to female UK prisoners through horticultural training.

Bella Hoare is based in West Wiltshire and draws inspiration from her surroundings on the Stourhead Estate – one of the National Trust‘s most popular destinations.

Address: Barge House St, London, SE1 9PH

Make your mark! Half Term Family Drawing Workshops

Join real life artists at pop-up drawing stations at The British Museum on Thursday, 30th May.

Get your inspiration from Michelangelo – the subject of the museum’s new exhibition – and take part in experimental drawing activities, which are suitable for all the family. Use pencils, pens and paper to create artworks to take home. Alternatively, you can collaborate on a large group art project. Whether you prefer small or large scale, artists will be on hand to guide you through techniques. No experience is necessary.

Drop in at any time on the day between 11.00am and 4pm. No ticket is required but places are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information go to: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

Have a great half term, and don’t forget your Zip Oyster Photocards for free/discounted travel for 5-15 year olds.

I would love to hear what free activities you have planned for this half term. Let me know in the comments below.

The post Five Free Activities for Kids in London for May Half Term appeared first on The Parent Social.

Overwhelmingly, we just want to see friends and family again without any restrictions, but here’s our more specific post-lockdown wish list.

Family wish list

Trip to the British Museum

Maria and Gabby are studying the Egyptians (Key stage 2), which they love. It would be great to see the museum’s vast Egyptian collection again. We also recently really enjoyed watching The Dig, so are keen to go and see the artefacts from the Sutton Hoo site.

Horse riding

The girls have wanted to go horse riding for a very long time. We had this planned last March for when we were visiting the Derbyshire Peak District. Sadly, the trip got cancelled (lockdown one). It’s very high up on the wish list.

Whitstable

This is one of our favourite seaside towns. We can’t wait to get back to visiting the coast and this will be one of our first destinations; crabbing, metal detecting, beach combing and great seafood. We had our first meal – after the so-called ‘Super Saturday’ relaxation of lockdown rules (July 4th) – at the brilliant The Lobster Shack.

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

We had a great late summer’s day down here as part of Maria and Gabby’s birthday celebrations in 2019. The simple pleasure of splashing about in the water and grabbing an ice-cream.

Summer Holiday

We had a fantastic driving holiday last year and would love to repeat. It was amazing to stop in so many wonderful locations. I think it’s too risky to book lots of accommodation at this point. Instead I’ve nabbed some very cheap flights on EasyJet. If we can fly out come July, we’ll stay with family in Italy. If things look more positive in the run up, we’ll book accommodation in other parts of Liguria as well. I’m thinking Cinque Terre. We’ll see.

Visiting an antique shop

The girls love shiny things, curiosities and bargain hunting. We’ve had many visits to antique shops and this is something they can’t wait to resume. One of our favourites is The Hampton Court Emporium in East Molesey.

Mooch about London

Despite that, aside from Matt, we were all born in London and live just 15 miles outside, the capital still holds a fascinating appeal. We’d like a day visiting our favourite spots – including the church in Covent Garden where Matt and I got married (and where my mum is buried) -, taking a walk in a London park, strolling by the river, taking in a museum… I’d also like to take the girls to The View From the Shard to see all across London from up high. I fancy taking a tourist bus; as a Londoner it’s something I’ve never done.

Big Garden Party

A couple of years ago we had a big garden party and the kids absolutely loved it and still talk about it. We love entertaining and have missed socialising so much. We really want to do something on a big scale again for neighbours, friends and family. The girls want to get out the gymnastic equipment, have netball shoot outs and play badminton and other garden games with their friends. We love to feed people; we also need to have my dad on arrosticini duty – these were a huge hit last time.

Sleepover

The girls are desperate to have a sleepover at their friends’ or have friends over here. A simple pleasure that’s been denied for almost a year.

Bluebell Railway

Going on a steam train is quite magical in any case, but when you travel through 11 miles of wonderful countryside carpeted with 1000s of beautiful bluebells it’s something else. Fingers crossed it opens in time for the season. https://www.bluebell-railway.com/

Bowling

This is a perennial favourite (especially on a rainy day) so no surprise it’s on the wish list.

Sofia and my theatre trip

My eldest’s birthday is in December. For the last few years we’ve had a day out just the two of us along with her friend and friend’s mum: shopping, food and then The Rose Theatre. We missed out last year because of Covid; we’re already booked for December 2021!

Chessington World of Adventure

No explanation required!

Eating out

We all love eating out and it’s the focal point of most of our trips.

The girls unanimously said Flat Iron as their first port of call for a nice steak.

Then, in no particular order, as requested by the kids and ranging from inexpensive to Michelin star (!):

• Tozi in Victoria for cicchetti
• A banquet in China Town – spinny wheel in the middle of the table essential
• Galu (Mediterranean Bar & Grill) – our most local restaurant in Banstead, Surrey
• Haché – for a burger
• Locanda Locatelli – we were meant to go here on Mother’s Day 2020 but, you guessed it, it was cancelled
• Al Forno – family favourite in Kingston
• Cin Cin – an absolute gem in Hove, one of our favourite seaside towns.

Wish list just for the parents

Theatre

I’ve never seen Les Misérables at the theatre. After watching the film and the BBC series, we’d love to see it on stage.

Hotel stay

The kids have been bloomin’ amazing throughout this crazy period. However, it would be lovely to have a night or two away just the two of us.

Cinema

We’d like to see the postponed James Bond film No Time to Die. It’s currently scheduled for September 30th. I can’t remember the last thing we actually saw at the cinema.

Eating out

Minus the kids, Matt and I would like to have return visits to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Hospital Road and Trinity in Clapham. We also want to go to Al Boccon Di’ vino in Richmond. We have a reservation at another favourite (Sorrel) already in the bag for June.

The post Wish list for post-lockdown appeared first on The Parent Social.