Info 4 Childminders

Capital FM called it the Victoria Park Firework Display in Hackney the best fireworks display in London last year…Once again A spectacular free firework display – has been organised by Tower Hamlets Council Arts and Events Team, the firework extravaganza will take place in Victoria Park – entrance is via Grove Road and the council suggests that people travel to the event using public transport – the nearest tube is Mile End.

7th November at 7.30pm in Victoria Park

This is your last chance to experience the amazing London Children’s Film Festival which runs until 7th November.

Now six years old, the London Children’s Film Festival gives families the chance to watch the best feature and short films from around the world, create their own films and participate in a wide range of arts activities.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor ice rinks in London this summer. There is bound to be one somewhere near you and they are always a bit of festive fun. Here is a list of some of the top outdoor ice rinks in London:

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
27th November 2010 to 9th January 2011

Winter Wonderland
19th November 2010 to 4th January 2011

London Eye Ice Rink
20th November 2010 to 5th January 2011

Natural History Museum Ice Rink
5th November 2010 to 9th January 2011

Somerset House Ice Rink
23rd November 2010 to 23rd January 2011

Tower of London Ice Rink
20th November 2010 to 9th January 2011

Canary Wharf Ice Rink
13th November 2010 to 20th February 2011

Westfield London Ice Rink
13th November 2010 to 2nd January 2011

From 20th November 10 to 30th January 2011 a wonderful puppet production of Alice In Wonderland is on at the Little Angel Theatre

On a lazy summer’s afternoon Alice whiles away her time on the river bank. Little does she know that a great adventure is about to begin… Join her as she encounters the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts in an extraordinary fantasy world.

From the creative team behind The Mouse Queen and The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Little Angel Theatre’s Christmas extravaganza is a highly imaginative re-telling of Lewis Carroll’s all time Classic children’s story.

Filled with verbal and visual nonsense and peppered with witty songs, this production uses puppetry and object-theatre, hand shadows and a supporting cast of Victorian photo portraits, to cast a fresh eye on this well-loved story.

Booking: Public booking is now open. Call the box office on 020 7226 1787

The Harrods annual Christmas Parade, on the morning of Saturday 6th November, precedes the Grotto opening. As usual, you can expect a show-stopping performance from an array of entertainers – and this year a Peter Pan theme adds to the excitement. Father Christmas will arrive in his horse-drawn carriage before taking residence in the Grotto.

8.00am The Christmas Parade begins in Basil Street behind Harrods
8.40am Father Christmas is welcomed to the store
9.00am Harrods opens for business
10.00am Father Christmas receives his first visitor in the Grotto

You do not require a ticket to attend the Christmas Parade

Children and parents can meet Father Christmas and share their wish-list for the festive season at Harrods. All children will leave with a gift and parents will have the opportunity to purchase a photo to remember the visit.

Grotto Opening Hours:

6th November – 9th December
10th December – 23rd December
Christmas Eve

Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 7.30
Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 8.00
Sunday – 12.00 – 5.30
Friday 10.00 – 3.30

Booking
Click here to go to the Grotto booking service.

Embrace winter at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, London’s most spectacular winter attraction which opens on 5th November 2010.

This year’s rink is 1050 metres square and has an accompanying Cafe Bar and beautiful fairground carousel. There’s also a smaller 100-square-metre rink for the younger skaters.

It is an experience not to be missed!

The Railway Children production has been a runaway success and so the show has been extended to 2nd January 2011 when it will be closing.

Book your tickets here

This spectacular adaptation of E Nesbit’s classic steams into London’s Waterloo from York Theatre Royal where it was originally produced at the National Railway Museum.

London’s breathtaking theatrical event is now staged at the former Eurostar Terminal where a 1,000 seat venue has been built around the railway tracks with audience seated either side. The Railway Children adapted by Mike Kenny and directed by Damian Cruden has arrived; bringing with it all the power of hope, the romance of steam trains and the magic of theatrical invention.

Featuring Stirling Single, a gorgeous 66-tonne steam locomotive and the Old Gentlemans’s Saloon (from the original Railway Children film) join Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis as they tell their story – of joy, sadness, laughter and love…

Do you dare to visit Harrods this Halloween? Little monsters everywhere are invited to discover the tricks and treats that lie behind their doors in the children’s Halloween celebration on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2010 – all designed to thrill, fright and entertain.

Harrods Halloween Events Schedule:

A Terrifying Tea Party

Setting Halloween weekend off with a bloodcurdling bang, baker Lily Vanilli will be in-store from 1pm to 2pm on Friday 29th October to launch her first book, ‘A Zombie Ate my Cupcake’. This book signing with a difference will offer visitors the chance to take a seat at a monstrous tea party, complete with Lily’s creepy cupcakes served by zombie waiters.
Gifts & Stationery, Lower Ground Floor

Spooky Stories

Putting the ‘boo’ into books, Harrods Waterstone’s will provide the spooky setting for some terrifying tales for children (recommended age 5 to 8 years old). Readings will take place at 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm over the weekend, with limited places available and tricks and treats for all.

Waterstone’s, Third Floor

Perfect Pumpkins

On Saturday 30th October, discover the best way to carve your pumpkins into Jack O’Lanterns. with Harrods top pumpkin producer, W.G Gibbens and Sons. Harrods sources only the best pumpkins from this third generation, family-run company. Their in-store specialists will show you what to do with the remainder of your pumpkin too, with top cooking tips and autumnal recipes for pumpkins and squashes.

Food Halls, Ground Floor

Trick or Treat?

Prepare to be horrified as Marvin’s Magic Freaky Body Illusionist wows with chilling tricks. From 12 noon to 2pm, the illusionist will be horrifying visitors with his gruesome gags. Watch as he turns his head 360 degrees and moves a severed arm across a table – the perfect start to a fright-filled night.

Toy Kingdom, Fourth Floor

Frozen Frights

Get into the Halloween moo-d with Harrods new frozen yoghurt bar, Yoomoo. Try the new Spooky Moo – a devilish pumpkin pie flavoured twist to their usual ‘moos’. Or from 12 noon to 4pm, you can ‘make a moo’ with spooky sprinklings such as popping candy and scary skeletons.

Yoomoo, Fourth Floor

Fiendish Face Painting

From wicked witches, to ghoulish ghosts or fluttering fairies – our expert face painting team will be on-hand to transform all your terrible tots into the stuff of nightmares. Perfect for heading home to scare your neighbours.

Children’s Designer Boutiques, Fourth Floor

Creepy Crafts

Get arty with the party professionals from Stage Star Party. In an array of glitter, sprinkles, papers, fabrics and more, their in-store experts will lend a helping hand in making a bespoke witches hat or a scary skeleton to turn your home into a truly terrifying haunted house.

Junior Collections, Fourth Floor

Future Forecasts

Inquisitive grown-ups are invited to take a look into their future with in-store tarot card readings. Taking place in Harrods Waterstone’s over the Halloween weekend, their tarot card reader will be on-hand with personal predictions and forecasts of your fate. Limited places are available.

Waterstone’s, Third Floor

Get set… Top Gear is coming to Earls Court, London from 4 – 7 November 2010! Top Gear Live is a live arena show of the award winning TV program Top Gear. Featuring breath-taking stunts, amazing special effects and blockbusting driving sequences the show packs more pyro, more noise, more spectacle and way more misbehavior [...]