In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy’s book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been adapted for the small screen and will air on the BBC this Christmas. Narrated by Idris Elba, the story follows four friends who share a deep, unshakable bond. Through a series of profound conversations, the unlikely group explore themes of kindness, compassion and building connections with those from all walks of life. A heart-warming story to enjoy over the festive break.
Available to watch on Christmas Eve at 4.55pm on BBC1 and on BBCiPlayer.
Visit BBC.co.uk
Toys, Tech and Tamagotchis at Museum of Brands
Museum of Brands in Notting Hill has opened an exhibition to showcase the top-selling Christmas toys of the 20th century. The display explores the most exciting toys over the decades, including those at the top of every child’s Christmas list. A great chance for kids to see how toys have evolved over the years – and introduce them to some of your own favourites – it also explores returning trends and toys, like the Furby, Barbie, Lego and Rubik’s cubes. Over the Christmas period, families can also take part in workshops to create a Christmas tree decoration out of recycled packaging.
111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, W11 1QT
Visit MuseumofBrands.com
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Little ones to teens will love this new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ seminal work at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Drury Lane. With music, snow, dance and even an appearance from Father Christmas, children can step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet Mr Tumnus the faun, talking beavers, Aslan the lion, and the cold, evil White Witch – played by Samantha Womack. Tickets start from £19.50.
166 Drury Lane, West End, WC2B 5PW; until 8th January 2023
Visit LionWitchOnStage.com
Bump & Milk
Maternity clothing is usually bump-friendly, but few pieces take breastfeeding into consideration. Bump & Milk was created by one mother who struggled to find modern pieces that allowed her to breastfeed on the go. The brand now has a range of pieces for pregnancy and beyond with clever hidden breastfeeding pockets and seams, so you can discreetly feed your baby. The current edit includes gingham dresses, nursing jumpsuits, smocks, and pretty evening tops. We love the cotton nursing dresses and muslin pyjama sets.
Visit BumpAndMilk.com
Luna App
The brainchild of ex-Deloitte consultants and Oxford business school graduates, Luna is the new app for teenage girls. Think of it as a digital older sister or agony aunt – aiming to demystify topics that have historically been deemed embarrassing. Built by medical professionals, adolescence experts and teens across the UK, it’s a safe space to navigate and learn about health and wellbeing. Covering topics such as skincare, body positivity, gender, sexuality, mental health and much more, users can learn through videos, articles and shared experiences.
Download the app here.
Demon Dentist
One of David Walliams’ most popular books will be brought to life on stage this Christmas at UCL’s Bloomsbury’s Theatre. From the same producers behind Walliams’ Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, the show tells the story of Alfie and Gabz who investigate strange events happening in their hometown. Children are leaving their teeth for the tooth fairy and waking up to find odd things under their pillows. The two are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery – but no-one could have dreamed what they'll discover when they come face to face with the demon dentist herself. Tickets start from £25.
15 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, WC1H 0AH
Visit UCL.ac.uk
Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but rulers over the ages have had odd ways of celebrating with gruesome traditions. Cue Horrible Histories’ Horrible Christmas, a family-friendly show at the Barbican, featuring rulers throughout the ages. When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day. From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, children can enjoy a hair-raising journey with Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas, as they come together to save the festive season.
Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS
Visit Barbican.org.uk
Caramel London Pop-Up
Regular readers will know we love Caramel London for luxury children’s clothing and accessories, so we were pleased to hear the brand has opened a home and gift pop-up store in Pimlico. Shoppers can browse an edit of bedding, cushions and homemade toys, as well as pyjamas for adults and children in the brand’s signature prints. Whether you’re looking for last-minute Christmas gifts or getting ideas to update your children’s bedroom, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the striped cotton sleeper sets.
48 Elizabeth Street, Pimlico, SW1W 9PA
Visit Caramel-Shop.co.uk
LaplandUK
As mother and father to four young boys, Mike and Alison Battle saw Christmas as the greatest celebration of childhood, yet couldn't find anywhere that reflected how important this moment was to them in the UK. In an attempt to treasure this precious time while they still could, and challenge the trivialisation they had experienced as a family at Christmas, they created LaplandUK in 2007 – an immersive and authentic representation of Father Christmas’ arctic homeland right here in the UK.
Visit Portal.LaplandUK.co.uk
Winter At The Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe has an exciting roster of activities over the next few weeks. Families can take part in a series of guided walks to learn about the famous playwright and his plays, including the ‘Ghosts & Ghouls Family Tour’, bringing to life the witches in Macbeth and the ghouls in Hamlet, and the ‘Festive Family Tour’ where you can find out how Christmas was observed in Shakespeare’s time. There are also family drama workshops, craft and puppetry sessions, and a new festive production named The Fir Tree, which brings Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale to the stage with storytelling, puppetry and carol-singing. Tickets start from £5.
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT
Visit ShakespearesGlobe.com
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman
The first book in A.F. Steadman’s fantasy series, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, has just won Waterstones’ prestigious Children’s Book of the Year award. Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will love this new world of courageous heroes and warrior unicorns. 13-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life, train together and race for glory. But just as Skandar's dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island's most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow his world apart forever...
Visit Waterstones.com
The Wind in the Willows at Wilton's Music Hall
Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows has arrived at Wilton’s Music Hall with a brand-new production that will immerse adults and children into the charming and playful world of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. In this new story, the characters romp through London, starting in Hyde Park in the spring and ending at Mole’s home for Christmas, fighting money-grabbing weasels along the way and coming face to face with ferrets and stoats. Tickets start from £10.50.
1 Graces Alley, Tower Bridge, E1 8JB; until 31st December
Visit Wiltons.org.uk
Troy London x Trotters
Luxury outerwear brand Troy London has joined forces with children’s wear brand Trotters to create a collection of kids’ jackets. Each one is a mini version of Troy’s wax jackets, with a playful pop of colour at the zip and lining made from Liberty London fabric. A great addition to your child’s winter wardrobe, each one is 100% waterproof with a mesh hood and two pockets. There are two unisex colours to choose from – green and navy.
Visit TroyLondon.com
Grub
If you want to make sure the kids eat some healthy meals over the Christmas holidays, this new cookbook features 26 recipes the whole family can tuck into, with easy-to-follow instructions for budding chefs. Created by private chef and nutritionist Hope Pointing, recipes include nacho Mexican chicken, and apple and pear porridge bars. Each recipe is full of fruit and veggies to keep kids full and satisfied – we like the sound of the chewy fruit and nut cookies. Contact Hope on Instagram or email her at hopepointing@hotmail.co.uk to order a copy.
Follow @HopePointingFood
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