In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids
Selfridges Pre-Loved Toy Pop-Up
Selfridges has opened a pop-up shop in collaboration with charity The TOY Project, where shoppers can browse a selection of pre-loved toys. Little ones and parents can choose from collectable figures, antique teddies, puzzles and classic family games. You can also donate pre-loved toys which will be sold back through the pop-up or at The TOY Project’s Holloway store. Ideal for finding unique Christmas gifts and stocking fillers – and teaching children the importance of sharing – the pop-up will be open until Thursday 23rd December.
Visit Selfridges.com
Anya’s Grotto
Anya Hindmarch Belgravia has been transformed into a winter wonderland where little ones can visit Father Christmas’ grotto. Book a 30-minute time slot to wonder through the immersive grotto experience which ends with a story read by Father Christmas himself. Tickets (£35 for children and £5 for adults) include a small gift and a takeaway hot drink at the Anya Café. A lovely activity to enjoy over the holidays, the grotto will be in place until Thursday 23rd December. On 27th November, St Pancras is also hosting a Santa's grotto (£37pp) where little ones can meet him one-on-one and take away a Chrsitmas gift.
The Village Hall, 11 Pont Street, Belgravia, SW1X 9EH
Visit AnyaHindmarch.com
Jo And The Dough
Ooni Pizza Ovens’ co-founder Darina Garland has written and self-published her first children’s book to raise funds for mental health charity YoungMinds who help young people and parents suffering from mental health issues. Jo and the Dough tells the story of Jo, an inquisitive young girl who accidentally brings her pizza dough to life. Luckily, her friend Dough Monster is happy to help get the pizza party started, and in no time at all, he’s leading her on an adventure through the neighbourhood to collect ingredients. The book also includes a child-friendly recipe for Neapolitan-style dough, so you can recreate the magic at home.
Visit Ooni.com
The Santa Steam Express
Steam Dreams Rail co has created a new experience where families can enjoy magical journeys to meet Father Christmas and his helpers on a vintage steam train departing from and returning to London Victoria. The journey takes around two hours where children will be welcomed on board with a drink and a sweet treat before meeting Father Christmas and his elves with their bag of gifts. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, while appreciating the views as the train passes Grosvenor Bridge, Battersea Power Station, Barnes and Chiswick, before returning to London. Suitable for two- to 16-year-olds, tickets start from £20.
Victoria Station, Victoria, SW1E 5ND
Visit SteamDreams.co.uk
Whirli
Whirli is the eco-friendly way to treat your children to some new toys this Christmas. The subscription service allows you to update their toy box as and when you like – choose from over 1,000 toys, keep them for as long as they are loved at home, then swap them for something else when they’re finished. There are hundreds of brands to choose from, suitable for babies and children up to the age of eight, including wooden toys, dolls, puzzles, cars and train sets. Books, fancy dress costumes and even bikes are available to loan, too. If your child really loves something, you can buy it after eight months. Monthly subscriptions start from £9.99.
Visit Whirli.com
Christmas At Blenheim Palace
This year, Blenheim Palace is going all out with a range of festive activities the whole family can enjoy. The historic estate has been decked out with Christmas lights including an illuminated light trail where little ones can catch a glimpse of Father Christmas. Enjoy festive treats at the Christmas market, then explore the palace which is filled with hidden surprises – from the toymaker’s workshop on Christmas Eve to the candy-cane Kingdom of Sweets adorned with gingerbread men. Don’t miss The Nutcracker story recreated in the State Rooms. Running until Thursday 23rd December, tickets start from £20.
Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP
Visit BlenheimPalace.com
NESSA Organics Body & Supplement Range
NESSA Organics has landed at Cult Beauty. Created by one mum who struggled to find gentle skincare that supported her post-birth recovery, the brand has a range of products for new mums and mums-to-be. Everything is organic, vegan, fragrance-free and made with 100% natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about any nasties. From body butters to reduce the appearance of stretch marks to ‘Nipple SOS’ creams to relieve sore nipples when breastfeeding, the range contains gentle ingredients like vitamin E and hydrating plant oils. NESSA has also launched a collection of supplements – The Motherhood Capsule is designed replenish key nutrients and aid recovery.
Visit CultBeauty.co.uk
If Only If
If you’re after some new nightwear for you and your little ones, If Only If is a brand to know. The small, family-run business creates traditional night gowns and pyjamas for women and children, so you can choose from a range of sweet matching sets. All pieces are made from 100% natural, breathable materials that have been sustainably sourced. We love the pretty Margot nightdress made from cotton and finished with pearl buttons and frilly edged scalloping.
Visit IfOnlyIf.co.uk
SOOOCHI
Black-owned brand SOOOCHI makes stylish weaning sets to help your little ones at mealtimes. Each piece is made from sustainably sourced materials and the brand cuts out all single-use plastics during the manufacturing process. Available in three chic colours, silicone weaning sets include a suction plate that easily sticks to a highchair, a bowl and spoon set, a bib, and two cups – one of which has a clever snap back lid to prevent spillages. Mix and match the colours to make mealtimes that bit more fun.
Visit SOOOCHI.com
Bun In The Oven Podcast
Hollie Grant, founder of prenatal fitness platform The Bump Plan, has launched a new parenting podcast, Bun in the Oven. Exploring the myriad of challenges and routes to become a parent, each episode features two guests who discuss a range of topics, including being pregnant in a bigger body, experiencing endometriosis, getting pregnant alone and having a baby in a same sex relationship. Backed by factual advice and personal anecdotes, each episode is full of useful information for parents-to-be. Don’t miss the episode on egg donation where Hollie is joined by Dr Meenakshi Choudhary for an honest chat about IVF.
Kids Eat Free At Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols has created a new kids’ menu – and kids aged 12 and under eat free on Sundays. After an afternoon of Christmas shopping, go to the Fifth Floor Café where little ones can choose from main courses like linguine with tomato sauce and parmesan, fish and chips, salmon with tenderstem broccoli, and chicken Milanese with mixed leaves. Treat them to a mini cheeseboard, chocolate plate or banana split for dessert, or a kids’ slushie. Valid for one child’s meal per adult’s main course ordered from the all-day menu.
109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Visit HarveyNichols.com
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