In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids
Willa & The Bear Quilts
This adorable brand specialises in stylish nursery essentials and sleepwear. It recently launched a new collection of quilts which are block printed by hand with delicate designs. They provide an extra layer on cooler nights and can be used on cots or beds. With options for little boys and girls, choose from speckled cot bumpers, quilted play mats and single quilts in a range of fun prints.
Visit WillaAndTheBear.com
Disney Wonder of Friendship: The Experience
As part of Disney’s 100-year anniversary, the brand will launch Disney’s Wonder of Friendship: The Experience where teens and Gen-Zs can take part in immersive activities and take Snapchats. Visitors will see characters they grew up with across four themed rooms based on Disney movies – Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, Mickey & Friends, and Lilo & Stitch. You can also interact with characters using Snapchat's latest Augmented Reality technology. Tickets cost £18.50.
Visit Disney.co.uk
Veja x Bonpoint
Sustainable footwear brand Veja has teamed up with children’s brand Bonpoint for a spring/summer collection of trainers for kids and babies. Both available in a range of neutral colours, the unisex sneakers are made from 100% organic cotton – from 2004 to 2021, Veja purchased nearly 1042 tons of organic cotton from Brazil and Peru according the Fair-Trade standards. Ideal for playdates and afternoons in the park, the shoes also have a recycled polyester lining and a fine leather outer sole for durability. We particularly like the cream and yellow shoes.
Visit Veja-Store.com
Mrs Doubtfire the Musical
Based on the bestselling children’s book by Anne Fine and the 90s classic starring Robin Williams, this musical transfers to the West End this month after a run in Manchester where it played to sold-out crowds. As the story goes, out-of-work actor Daniel will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. Tickets start from £22.50.
210 Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, WC2H 8DP; until January 2024
The Wild at Substation
State-of-the-art bouldering and fitness centre Substation Brixton has launched The Wild, a new developmental and creative activity space for children. From free play to private parties, The Wild is a coolest hangout spot for young climbers to have fun and enjoy climbing. The space has a climbing wall with two LED training boards and a circuit board with over 50 moves. Created with a leading child development specialist, The Wild is designed to provide maximum stimulation through sensory touchpoints, colours and shapes. During the week the space is also available for free 90-minute slots of play for children. You can also hire the space for events and kids’ parties with climbing instructors, an entertainer and birthday cake.
Visit Substation.co.uk
J & Josh
This new luxury children’s wear brand was created by one mother who struggled to find high quality clothing for her two sons. Designed from a London workshop, items are made in Italy and Portugal from natural wool, linen, cotton and cashmere. Casual wear for boys aged two to eight includes polos, linen t-shirts, shorts chinos and hoodies. There’s also a lovely edit of swimwear with matching styles for dads. Look out for pop-ups around the capital throughout the year.
Visit JandJosh.com
Beyond the Streets at the Saatchi Gallery
If you haven’t seen the Saatchi Gallery’s exhibition on street art and graffiti, now’s your chance before it closes in two weeks. A great activity for older kids and teens, the exhibition is spread across the whole gallery with original art, photography, immersive installations and archival fashion from over 150 artists and rulebreakers. It pays homage to the moments from the worlds of graffiti, street art, hip-hop and punk rock, as well as the artists who immortalised them. Look out for the cool edit of 90s streetwear. Tickets start from £15.
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 4R; until 9th May
Visit SaatchiGallery.com
Little Forest Folk; How to Raise Happy, Healthy Children Who Love The Great Outdoors by Leanna Barrett
Leanna Barrett opened Liberty Woodland School, the first full time outdoor nursery, because she couldn’t find the childcare setting she wanted to send her kids to. Now with seven outposts across the UK which teach kids about important of the great outdoors, Leanna has written a book to inspire little ones to love and care for the outside world. Little Forest Folk is full of ideas for simple and fun outdoor activities – from bug hotels to potion making, leaf-painting to adventure walks – all designed to help parents and children love the natural world, whatever the weather.
Visit Amazon.co.uk
My Little Coco Beach Bum Collection
Rochelle Humes’ children’s brand My Little Coco has launched a new summer collection for little ones and parents. The Beach Bum range features holiday essentials, including poolside accessories and travelling heroes. Choose from sea socks (for sandy beach days), handy travel organisers including bags and packing cubes, sunglasses for girls and boys, sun hats, and hair turbans. We love the neutral bucket hat – ideal for extra sun protection.
Visit MyLittleCoco.co.uk
BBC Earth Experience
The BBC has opened an immersive Earth Experience narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Wander through the Water Life room and Micro Life room to reach the Vista Stage with its 360° audio-visuals. Ideal for a day out with the kids, there are hundreds of multi-angle screens with interactive rooms looking at biodiversity across the seven continents. After you’ve explored the landscapes and met their inhabitants, there’s a message in the Earth Room from Sir David, inspiring everyone to think about what they can do in their daily lives to protect the planet.
The Daikin Centre, Earl’s Court, SW6 1TT
Visit BBCEarthExperience.com
CBeebies x Shakespeare’s Globe
CBeebies has partnered with Shakespeare’s Globe for a performance of Twelfth Night. Performed especially for pre-school children and their families, the show features CBeebies stars who will perform in front of a live audience in London’s iconic open-air theatre before airing on CBeebies in 2024. There’s also a Twelfth Night workshop for little ones aged three to five, featuring activities and games designed to draw out elements of the play’s language and characters.
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT
Visit ShakespearesGlobe.com
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