The LittleBird Family Pass Top Picks for the week ahead 1st – 7th October
The LittleBird Family Pass Top Picks for the week ahead 1st – 7th October
It’s hard to keep up with everything; what’s launched, what’s new, what’s become available, what’s now digital. Fear not, we’ve done the hard work for you.
We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do this week, virtual events as well as actual real life events plus some online anytime activities too.
Get involved in a day of digital doodling with RIBA, tune into Otis Mabuse celebrate Black History Month with Horrible Histories, find out what Megalodon means, join Chris Riddell as he introduces his new full-colour illustrated Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, listen to Russell and Laura Brand read the Tiger Who Came To Tea, find Where’s Wally? in a new Spooky museum search and find out how you can get involved in 1000s Tiny Fun Palaces – there’s lots to do, see and fun with.
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OUR VIRTUAL TOP PICKS
The Big Draw Festival 2020, A Climate of Change, 1st – 31st October
Uniting people, pencils and pixels across the globe, The Big Draw Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing promoting the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention. This year’s theme: A Climate of Change focuses on the relationship between people and our living environments and ecosystems. Throughout October there are tons of digital as well as real life activities and events taking place throughout the UK.
To find out more about the festival, what’s on and when, click here
Horrible Histories Black History Month with Oti Mabuse, 1st – 31st October
In celebration of Black History Month, Oti Mabuse brings you a selection of Horrible Histories sketches and songs featuring Rosa Parks, Civil War spy Mary Bowser, pioneering boxer Bill Richmond, plus Mary Seacole and Martin Luther King Jr.
Watch it here
Riddell’s Wonders of Wonderland, Thursday 1st October @ 1.30pm
Part of the Reading is Magic Festival ( 27th Sept – 2nd Oct), join acclaimed illustrator and author Chris Riddell as he introduces his unique visual interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s magical story.
During Alice’s extraordinary adventures in Wonderland, she meets the charming White Rabbit, the formidable Queen of Hearts and the grinning Cheshire-Cat, characters that have become almost as famous as Alice herself and take their place alongside her in one of the most influential children’s books of all time. Chris will illustrate each of these unforgettable characters before your eyes.
Aimed at ages 7 – 1, Find out more here
Find the full programme of events here and check out the Festival Guide here. All previous events have been recorded and are free to access at any time until the end of 2020 so there’s no need to miss out.
Nature Live Online: Megalodon, Friday 2nd October @ 10.30am
There’s a reason they are called megalodon. Meaning ‘big tooth’, this giant extinct shark makes the great white look like small fry. At over 18 metres long, and with six-inch serrated teeth, megalodon was a formidable predator and had a huge impact on the prehistoric oceans it called home. However, megalodon isn’t the only extinct shark to turn heads and quicken the pulse. Part of the Natural History Museums Nature Online Series, take a closer look at shark fossils and learn more about past kings of the oceans with Museum scientist Emma Bernard.. Join here
This is a great way to meet NHM scientists and discover the fascinating work carried out behind the scenes at the Museum. And if you can’t make the session, or are interested in watching previous talks, you can catch up here
Judith Kerr storytelling with Russell & Laura Brand, Saturday 3rd October @ 10am
Part of the Henley Literary Festival (26th Sept. – 4th Oct), tune into this exclusive pre-recorded event. To celebrate Festival favourite Judith Kerr The Tiger Who Came to Tea is read by Laura & Russell Brand. If MOG the Forgetful Cat is your favourite, catch CBBC presenters Leah & Ricky Boleto reading the book on Sunday 4th October at 10am.
Tickets are free but you’ll need to book here
To find out more about the Henley Literary Festival, click here
Online Family Fun Day: Big Green Architecture Draw, Saturday 3rd October @ 11am – 4pm
The event, Big Green Architecture Draw, marks the start of the official Festival month (throughout October) which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors taking part in creative events annually, worldwide.
Take part this Saturday and get ready to enjoy a digital day of doodling with RIBA, and explore themes of creativity, sustainability and green architecture. Offering a programme of virtual workshops and activities to get the whole family involved, exploring these themes through drawing and making – all from the comfort of your home.
It’s free, all you need to do is register, choose a workshop and book your ticket, click here
Part of the Big Draw Festival 2020.
Online Family Saturday at Ikon Gallery, Saturday 3rd October @12pm – 4pm
Ikon’s Family Saturdays have gone digital. Visit the website nearer the time for step by step instructions and get creative at home. Check out previous Online Family Saturday activities on their YouTube channel and why not have a go – get creative here
Ikon’s Learning Programme is supported by Cass Art. Please consider making a donation for this free activity.
Anna and Arji’s Broom Cupboard, Monday 5th October
A 5 minute TV show where Anna Bruder and Arji Manuelpillai share interactive playful art and craft activities, stories, poems, music and games for the whole family to make and play at home. Activities include making a hand puppet, making a monster poem, making a superhero mask, making a story, making a comic strip. All episodes are BSL interpreted or subtitled.
Aimed at ages 3 – 7, a new episode is shown every Monday (runs until 30th November) and you can catch up on previous episodes too and find your favourites.
Tune in here
OUR TOP PICKS OF THINGS TO DO
Black History Month at Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands, 1st – 31st October
Celebrate Black History Month at both Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands. With a mixture of digital and real life events, explore talks, music, exhibitions and take part in a free self guided family trail and discover the stories of Black Londoners in the museum’s collection.
Find out more here
1000s Tiny Fun Palaces, 3rd & 4th October
Fun Palaces is about sharing skills and making local connections.This weekend extra-small, hyper-local Fun Palaces are encouraged. A shared creation made by three neighbours along a wall, a seed swap in your street, a drumming lesson from a balcony window, six people socially-distanced in a park teaching each other a 45-minute dance or yoga or fitness sequence, a neighbourhood co-writing a story in chalk on the pavement.
To find out more and about how you can get involved, click here and to check out this year’s Digital Fun Palaces, explore here and for creative inspiration, enjoy Tiny Revolutions of Connection.
Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search! At Museum of London Docklands, 3rd – 18th October
Join the search for Wally at the Museum of London Docklands this October – pick up a spooky activity sheet and get searching. The Museum needs your help to find him, so make sure to look out for him while you discover the hidden wonders of London’s docklands, and don’t forget to bring a pencil!
The museum is part of the national Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search, organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books, to celebrate the release of the new Where’s Wally? book, Spooky Spotlight Search.Families can join in the search for Wally at over 75 museums across the UK with the event tailored within each museum to comply with their social distancing measures. Find out more and who’s taking part here
Summer Exhibition 2020 at Royal Academy, opens 6th October
For the first time in history, the Summer Exhibition will fall in winter. Discover a myriad of works by household names and emerging artists. This year’s exhibition includes new works by Tracey Emin, Rebecca Horn, Anselm Kiefer, Julian Schnabel, Gillian Wearing and Ai Weiwei. Tickets from £20 with Under 16s free.
Find out more here
ONLINE ANYTIME
Head over to the British Library to explore fairy tales and folktales. Star in your own fairy tale, go on an adventure, learn how to develop a character, listen to classic stories and find out all about the evolution of the Gruffalo by Axel Scheffler himself. Discover here
The Kids Should See This – smart videos for curious minds
With over 4,500+ kid-friendly videos, and 10 – 15 new videos added each week, The Kids Should See This champions smart STEAM, history, and culture-focused content by museums, organisations, and creators who celebrate curiosity, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, kindness, and other essential themes for all ages. Be inspired here
Learning at home with Kew Gardens
Learn about plant and fungal science at home with Kew’s curriculum-aligned resources for KS1 – KS5 to support kids learning, at home or at school. Get stuck into an array of fun challenges and be immersed in the world of plants and fungi with videos, games and challenges. Start exploring here
Brought to you by The LittleBird Family Pass – saving families money all year round. To find out how, click here