Barbican Mums Blog http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com Things to do in London with kids Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:07:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Toni’s Faces: Children’s Face Painter http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/childrens-parties/tonis-faces-childrens-face-painter http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/childrens-parties/tonis-faces-childrens-face-painter#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:07:00 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/?p=86 Hello Kitty - Children's face painter

Hello_kittyAll kids love a face painter, right? But not all face painters are created equal.

There are your run of the mill face painters who just slap on a bit of colour and hope for the best.

And then there is Toni…

A local girl who works in a nursery by day, Toni is great with the kids and there is nothing that she can’t put her hand to when she gets going with her paints and glitter.

You may have seen her work before if you were at the St Giles Fete last year. She’s the one that turns all the little boys (and some of the girls) into sparkly leopards.

At my daughters party recently all of the kids wanted to be Hello Kitty.  Having not been asked this before did not phase Toni. Using a Hello Kitty rug to go by, she set about turning all the party goers into their favourite Japanese cat.

And the bit that the little girls loved the most? The sprinkling of her trademark glitter that Toni added as her finishing touch.

Toni’s Faces. Tel 07958 616 447

]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/childrens-parties/tonis-faces-childrens-face-painter/feed 0 Barbican Mums Product Review: Breastflow Bottles http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/pregnancy-baby/barbican-mums-top-tip-breastflow-bottles http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/pregnancy-baby/barbican-mums-top-tip-breastflow-bottles#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:44:22 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/?p=61
Breastflow bottles

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to one of the other mums for recommending the Breastflow bottle to me.

Up until now my fussy son has refused half a dozen different types of bottle in my vain attempt to wean him off the breast.

But now, success! The Boy actually appears to be quite impressed by this one.

The thing with the breast flow bottle that has it licked is that it has a double teat system which requires the baby to suck to control the flow of milk in a similar way that he would do on the breast.

Ok, it’s still a bit of silicone rather than warm human flesh so he’s not entirely fooled but I’ve certainly got a lot further with this bottle than any others I have tried.

Breastflow Bottles £14.99 for a pack of 3.
Available locally from Mothercare or buy online.

]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/pregnancy-baby/barbican-mums-top-tip-breastflow-bottles/feed 0 Cafe in the Crypt @ St Martin in the Fields http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/eating-out/cafe-in-the-crypt-st-martin-in-the-fields http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/eating-out/cafe-in-the-crypt-st-martin-in-the-fields#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:49:12 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/?p=48
St Martin in the Fields Crypt Cafe Trafalgar Square

St Martin in the Fields Crypt Cafe Trafalgar Square

Always on the lookout for something that combines my love of a cuppa, the other-half’s love of crumbling old buildings and something to entertain the kids we stumbled across the cafe in the crypt of St Martin in the Fields last weekend whilst in the Trafalgar Square area.
Having undergone a £36million renovation the church is far from crumbling and the vaults beneath it house an award winning child-friendly cafe.

Afternoon tea with 3 types of scrummy cake (yes 3!) is £5.75. Not bad for central London. Plus they also serve organic Roskillys ice cream and a whole host of hot dishes.

But for me the USP of the cafe is the fact that should you have forgotten the crayons & colouring book to keep the kids happy you can pick up a brass rubbing to keep them amused. For in the vaults of the church at the entrance to the cafe is the London Brass Rubbing Centre. Just choose your brass and they will provide you with the specialist paper and waxes and give your little one  instructions of what to do. Then off you go to the cafe and enjoy your afternoon tea whilst the kids sit there busy rubbing away.  Beats a Disney Princess colouring book for novelty value. Prices start at £4.50 and you get to keep the artwork afterwards.

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ.
Opening times vary.

See the St Martin in the Field website for more details

]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/eating-out/cafe-in-the-crypt-st-martin-in-the-fields/feed 0 Mummy & Me Yoga @ Frame http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/mummy-me-yoga-frame http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/mummy-me-yoga-frame#comments Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:12:59 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/mummy-me-yoga-frame Post Natal YogaIt can be difficult to find ways to exercise when you have a new baby but Frame, a new fitness centre in Shoreditch, has come up with a solution: Mummy & Me Yoga.

I attended the class last week with my 3 month old and despite any reservations I had about getting into my exercise gear and getting sweaty in a room full of crying babies both myself and The Boy had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

The class involves baby lying on a mat whilst you perform various yoga moves in front of them. The Boy, quite rightly, found it hilarious to have mummy puffing and panting her way through downward dog and the plank whilst looking lovingly into his eyes. Some of the moves also involved him getting the odd tickle so he was extra pleased about that.

The teacher, Emma, was great at making sure that you did not strain anything you shouldn’t but at the same time it really felt like I’d had a great workout afterwards. The atmosphere was also very relaxed so that if you need to skip any of the moves because baby needs feeding then you feel very comfortable to do so.

Frame will also be introducing a creche in 2010 and more classes for mums and kids so watch this space for further details and if you would like to try a class for FREE then go to this page on the Barbican Mums website.

Mummy @ Me Yoga Classes. Thursday 10.30 – 11.30am. Frame, 29 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EY

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]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/mummy-me-yoga-frame/feed 0 The Clore Learning Centre at the Museum of London http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/the-clore-learning-centre-at-the-museum-of-london http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/the-clore-learning-centre-at-the-museum-of-london#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:30:59 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/the-clore-learning-centre-at-the-museum-of-london The shiny new Clore Learning Centre at the Museum of London opened last month as part of the Museum’s forthcoming multi-million pound make over and it’s well worth a visit.

The centre utilises the latest modern technology to create a fantastic space in which children can discover historical London whilst they play.

Amongst the hands on activities are 2 giant computerised white boards with interactive games. These include designing your own London buildings and creating your own clothes inspired by those of the past. There are also giant foam building bricks for the little ones and organised activities around different themes. This weekend’s topic was prehistoric man.

Museum of London barbican

The centre is open at weekends and during school holidays and the Mini-Moles and Little Moles groups for babies and toddlers are held there on a Wednesday during term times. All sessions are free.

The Clore Learning Centre is a great way to pass a few hours during this half term.

For further details see the Museum of London website.

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]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/the-clore-learning-centre-at-the-museum-of-london/feed 0 London Fields Lido – the Hackney Beach http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/london-fields-lido-the-hackney-beach http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/london-fields-lido-the-hackney-beach#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:33:59 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/london-fields-lido-the-hackney-beach If, like me, you are having a ’staycation’ this summer but you still want to have a dip in an open air pool when the sun does actually come out then pop along to the London Fields Lido.
This open air pool was originally built in 1931 but closed in 1988. As a resident of London Fields in the late ’90s I remember it lying derelict and the London Fields User Group and other local residents tirelessly campaigning to have it re-opened. Their wish was granted in 2006 and the pool is now hugely popular with families and pro-swimmers alike.
The lido has a heated Olympic size pool with a shallow end for the kids, a sunbathing terrace and a cafe serving felafal wraps and toasted sarnies.

London Fields Lido

Escape from the heat of the City in only 20 mins on a no 55 from Old Street or a 48 or 26 Bus from Liverpool Street.
Open from 6.30am on weekdays and 8am at weekends, on a hot sunny day I would advise you to get there early as there is a queue to get in by midday.
Adults pay £4.10, under 16’s £2.45 and under 5’s are completely free.
As an added bonus it’s in a great location in the middle of London Fields which also has a couple of good children’s playgrounds if the little ones have any energy left after all of that swimming.

View London Fields Lido Website

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]]> http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/things-to-do-in-london-with-kids/london-fields-lido-the-hackney-beach/feed 0 Why Living in the City of London with Kids is so great http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/living-in-the-city-of-london/why-living-in-the-city-of-london-with-kids-is-so-great http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/living-in-the-city-of-london/why-living-in-the-city-of-london-with-kids-is-so-great#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:31:59 +0000 Kate http://www.barbicanmumsblog.com/uncategorized/why-living-in-the-city-of-london-with-kids-is-so-great Having lived in the City of London for 8 years, now that I have kids I appreciate it more than ever. Here are 10 reasons why living in the City of London with kids is so great:

  1. As you live in Zone 1 of Central London you can walk everywhere, thereby shedding all that excess baby weight.
  2. You may live in the centre of one of the busiest cities in the world but you are never far away from a green space. The Square Mile has dozens of gardens, parks and open spaces and there are 3 city farms within walking distance of the Square Mile.
  3. The City is beautifully tranquil at the weekends and is a great time to walk the streets with your toddler to discover secret alleyways and hidden enclaves.
  4. You have some of the world’s best free museums & art galleries on your doorstep, all of which hold regular events and activities for kids.
  5. Every time you step out of your home there is a history lesson for your child all around you.
  6. You are spoilt for choice with restaurants serving almost every type of cuisine imaginable to cater for even the most fussy of pallets.
  7. Because you don’t have a garden you tend to go out more to communal parks where your child can interact with other children.
  8. Living in the centre of the City means you don’t need to strap your kids into the car to go to the shops/school etc therefore making your lifestyle quite carbon friendly.
  9. If you do need to get somewhere in a hurry you can get a taxi to the West End and still have change from a tenner.
  10. Finally, if it’s a rainy and grey London day you and your child can stay in and enjoy the views of one the world’s best skylines from the comfort of your inner city home.
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