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Egg hunts, Depeche Mode and chasing pigeons on the South Bank

It was a very cold and windy day on the South Bank on Friday, but Orla and I decided to brave it and find out what it has to offer.

It was much quieter than at the weekends, so Orla could roam free(ish) and take in some of the sights close up.

We looked for eggs in the Faberge Egg hunt. Orla was really impressed by a very still silver man - especially when he waved at her. She loved the boats on the river. But her favourite thing by far was chasing the pigeons outside the Royal Festival Hall.

We sneaked in there for a bit of shelter and to use their baby changing room. We couldn't stay for the free lunchtime concert (we were in London to have lunch with a friend). Instead we went across to the Hayward Gallery.

I never thought the Hayward had many free exhibitions. And if Friday was anything to go by I was probably right. They had a little free taster of a paid-for exhibition exhibition for us to try - this one was all about 80s sensation Depeche Mode.

We walked into a very dark room showing a film about really quite fanatical fans with shrines to Dave Gahan (lead singer - now I know!), miming in empty car parks and watching concerts on dvd over and over again.

I might have enjoyed it more if I had not been with an 18-month-old. But I was, so we left quite quickly.

My tip for the South Bank: find out what's on so you don't miss the great free concerts at the Royal Festival Hall.

Faberge Egg Hunt until 21 April 2012
Around London

Our Hobby is Depeche Mode until 13 May 2012
Hayward Gallery
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX

Lard at the nature reserve (I'm told it was smelly)



Oooh - lard!

I found lots of free things to do around Kent at half-term - the most revolting was rubbing lard into a pine cone at Sevenoaks Nature Reserve.

Calum said it was "disgusting and smelly" but he actually really enjoyed making the bird feeders and our small donation was definitely worth it.

Here's what you'll need to make your own bird feeders:

lard (bleugh)
a selection of bird seed
grated cheese
raisins
pine cone (with string to hang up the bird feeder)
plastic gloves (optional - but quite a nice option I feel . . .)

Mix the ingredients together with your hands and then push the mixture into the gaps in the pine cone. Then voila! You have your very own bird feeder to hang in the garden.

Sevenoaks Nature Reserve often has events in the school holidays - we've been pond dipping and been to their big wildlife festival in the summer. Keep an eye out for them!

Free parking

Sevenoaks Nature Reserve
Bradbourne Vale Road
Sevenoaks TN13 3DH

Story time at Sevenoaks Library

Story time at Sevenoaks Library has been running on Wednesday mornings at least since my five-year-old was a baby but I have never been. Until last week that is.

We huddled together with around ten other little ones and listened to stories and sang songs for half an hour. Orla mainly enjoyed taking books off the shelves.

The story-teller was lovely and very patient, the children absolutely loved it, and it's much calmer than the library's Thursday singing session.

If you have a little one under five you really must try it!

Story time - Wednesday - 11.15-11.45

Sevenoaks Library
Buckhurst Lane
Sevenoaks TN13 1LQ

Free half-term saviours!

Half-term is here and this holiday is probably one of the hardest. It's always cold, it gets dark early, unlike the Christmas holidays there's no promise of presents and parties.

So I've compiled a list of some great free things in Kent (and a few in London) this holiday . . . if I've missed anything let me know and I'll make sure I add it!

Please double-check that the event is still on before you set off.

Every day

Riverbank Tales
Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane, EC2R 8AH
10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Stories from Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham.

Free Family Fun
Lakeside, West Thurrock Way, Essex
Make your own monsters and visit the Monster Garden every day this half-term.


Sunday 12 February

Community Fun Day 11am – 4pm
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre
Trampolining, martial arts and roller disco (from 2.30pm)
 
Making Sense
Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA
Events for children of all ages.

Art workshops 11am & 2pm
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Free hands-on art workshops, meet in the Education Centre Foyer (Orange St entrance). For children aged 5 to 11.

Monday 13 February

Anglo Saxons 10.30-12.30
Folkestone History Resource Centre in Folkestone Library
Meet an Anglo Saxon skeleton, try your hand at Anglo Saxon craft and write your name in runes. Tickets available from the library counter.

Burst of Brightness: Sunsets and Ships
The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
(and Tuesday 14) For children aged 2 to 5

Vicious Venoms and Poisonous Parasites Workshops 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm
Centre of the Cell, Newark St, London, E1 2AT
Workshops about the most deadly venoms and poisonous creatures. Age 9+. Also Wednesday 15 and Friday 17.


Tuesday 14 February

Crafty Critters 10.30-12.30 and 2-4pm
Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery
Free art and craft activities throughout half-term (until Friday 17). No booking required.

Romans 10.30-12.30
Folkestone History Resource Centre in Folkestone Library
Touch real Roman objects, design your own mosaic and make a Roman sword. Tickets available from the library counter.

Storyscape 10.30 - 11am
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN 

Interactive story-telling session.

Wednesday 15 February

Community Fun Day 11am – 4pm
Edenbridge Leisure Centre
Trampolining, mountain bike stunt show and pool party

Fossil Fun 10.30am – 12.30pm
Folkestone History Resource Centre in Folkestone Library
See real dinosaur bones, make your own fossil and go on a dinosaur hunt. Tickets available from the library counter.

Bookworms story time 11am – 12pm
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Story time for children under 5.

Feeding Frenzy for Birds 2 – 3.30pm
Jeffrey Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Nature Reserve
Make your own bird feeder – donation required. Book on 01622 622 012.

Historical finger puppets 10am – 4pm
Dover Museum
Make your own historical finger puppets.. Entry to the museum is FREE on Family Days. There is no charge for the activities.

Dear Lido
The Construction Gallery 74-80 Upper Tooting Rd, London SW17 7PB
Family workshops
Feb 15: bunting making and a tea party (1-3pm, 4-6pm; all ages)
Feb 16: 'Make a Splash' vintage swimming caps workshop (11am-1pm; age 5+); vintage hair and make-up workshop (7-9pm; age 16+)
Feb 17: set design workshop (11am-12.30pm, 1-2.30pm; age 5-11)
Feb 18: dance workshops (11am-noon, 1-2pm; age 11-16).
Booking by email is essential.

Catch a spider or two stories and crafts
Walderslade Hook Meadow Library
Ages 3-8 years. Booking essential.

Bugs and butterflies stories and crafts
Wigmore Library
Ages 3-8 years. Booking essential.

Toddler Club 10am - 12pm
The Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling DA16 3RP
Adult £2, children free


Thursday 16 February

Ladybirds and butterflies stories and crafts 2.15-3pm
Grain Library
Ages 4-10 years. Booking essential.

Caterpillar capers 11-11.45am
Lordswood Library
Ages 3 - 8 years. Booking essential.

Butterfly and ladybird stories and craft 3.45-4.30pm
Thomas Aveling Library
Ages 3 - 8 years. Booking essential.

Forest crafts 2.15-3pm
Wigmore Library
Booking essential.

Bugs and beasties 2.15-3pm
Gillingham Library
Ages 4-10 years. Booking essential.

Beastly bugs 2.30-3pm
Rochester Library
Ages 4-10 years. Booking essential.

Beetlemania 2.30-3.15pm
Cuxton Library
Ages 4-10 years. Booking essential.

Friday 17 February

Feeding Frenzy for Birds 2 – 3.30pm
Romney Marsh Visitor Centre
Make your own bird feeder – donation required. Book on 01622 622 012.

Forest crafts 2.15-3pm
Lordswood Library
Booking essential.

Catch a spider or two 2 - 3pm
Walderslade Village Library
Ages 3-8 years. Booking essential.


Saturday 18 February

3D pancake masterclass 4pm
Atelier des Chefs, 19 Wigmore St, London, W1U 1PH
How to make volcanoes, icebergs, rapids and forests from pancakes. Limited places, please book by email. Age 6+.

Sunday 19 February

Community Fun Day 11am – 4pm
White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley
Mountain bike stunt show, bouncy castle and more