of festive activities for families will be on offer at Kew Gardens including face-painting, Santa’s Grotto, a traditional carousel and, after Christmas Day, a tree recycling amnesty with the arboretum team. Christmas Activities For KidsDecember 10,11Have a

Heston Blumenthal, Michelin-starred chefIf children are helping you cook, don’t expect them to make a dish from start to finish. It’s the interaction that’s the best thing – they can learn from you and you can learn from teaching them.Mimi Doe, author and founder of Spiritualpare...

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!November 29–December 3World-renowned choreographer, Matthew Bourne brings his sugar-coated spectacular to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre for a limited run before leaping off to London’s West End. Children and adults alike will adore being transported t...

of seasonal activities with an event to suit every family. Sticking to the publishing house’s global philosophy, events include African drumming classes, piñata making workshops, celebratory Indian dance and an afternoon of Hannuka fun. More traditional

with games, carols and plenty of fun-filled mischief with his team of elves. After the mornings activities at Warwick Castle, children will also leave with a surprise Christmas gift.Abbey ChristmasDecember 17Head to the historic Newstead Abbey

LondonNew Year’s Eve Funk PartyDecember 31Rare is the New Year’s Eve party that is as child-friendly as it is fun for adults but London restaurant Caponata and sister venue The Forge may just have pulled it off. Kicking off at a family-friendly 7pm this party offers a delicious t...

Strolling through a meadow on a warm day in search of brilliant poppies, delicate daisies and such colourfully named varieties as Bacon and Eggs and Scarlet Pimpernels is a wonderful adventure. Indeed, the fun of identifying wild flowers can encourage so many things in your child...

and drinking rose in the garden, to children the summer holidays represent freedom, independence and family days out, awash with activities laid on for their pleasure.So, in honour of this most pleasant of seasons, and in recognition of the fact that those

in the woods, foraging is an activity that children and parents can enjoy together. Some parents might be hesitant because of possible dangers. It’s true that some plants can scratch or sting; others can be poisonous and there is also the chance of pollution

Talking George Giraffe £100, by Mamas & PapasVisually stimulating with bright colours, a friendly smile and quality sturdy wooden frame. George is no ordinary rocking horse - when a child 'feeds' George  one of the items from the pouch around his neck he will tell a story, sing a...