THE MINI VAULTS UNDER WATERLOO STATION<\/strong><\/p>\n Head underground to the Mini VAULT Festival<\/a> – \u00a0an explosion of family friendly activities\u200b in the secret tunnels under Waterloo.<\/p>\n Experience magical adventures with fantastic shows and free festivities. As well as theatre, circus and comedy, they\u2019ll be storytelling, facepainting, games, live music, mini shows and more! The magnificent \u200bmaze \u200bof caves and caverns\u200b underground Waterloo station\u200b will be taken over by interactive installations, \u200bdancing lights, \u200bcraft activities, a Kazoo Orchestra, Kansas Smitty\u2019s jazz band and even hula hooping! Download a full programme here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd February. 10am – 3pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: After being underground for a few hours, some fresh air will be needed so head over to the Jubilee Gardens<\/a>; a lovely green space in front of the spectacular London Eye with a great playground.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n COSTUMED TOURS AT THE CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 Step back in time to 1839 and just imagine \u2026Dickens and his young family are preparing to leave for a journey to their \u2018home from home\u2019 \u2013 a relaxing holiday in Broadstairs. \u00a0But during their absence, the housemaid is up to no good.<\/p>\n Whilst they are enjoying the fresh Kentish air, she takes a break from her many duties and invites you to step through the original door of 48 Doughty Street and discover the secrets of the esteemed young writer Charles Dickens and his growing family.<\/p>\n Experience this <\/span>costumed tour<\/a> at Charles Dickens only surviving London residence. Learn about the man behind such literary greats at Oliver Twist, Great Expectations and of course, A Christmas Carol.<\/span><\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st February LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: There\u2019s a cafe at the museum but if you need some fresh air and the kids need a run around <\/span>Russell Square<\/a> is a short walk and also have a cafe too. It was designed and built in 1806 by Humphrey Repton for the 5th Duke of Bedford, whose statue still stands in the gardens today.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Make a day of it? If you do managed to venture to Russell Square and have any energy left, the <\/span>British Museum<\/a> is a short walk and well worth dipping into.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n FOLLOW THE COLOURED BRICK ROAD AT THE ARTS DEPOT<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 This Saturday, Follow the Coloured Brick Road<\/a> to the Arts Depot for this exhibitions final day. Inspired by the classic film The Wizard of Oz, \u00a0Elisa Cantarelli creates stunning works of art, using a dotting technique applied to photographic images. There\u2019s free craft activities in the gallery for ages 3+.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st February LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: There’s a free soft play area and book corner in the cafe on level 2.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n KIDS GO FREE AT THE SHARD<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 This Saturday and Sunday (and throughout half term) you can take the kids to the Shard<\/a> for free – family fun awaits at 800ft!<\/p>\n You can take up to two kids per paying adult for free to The View from The Shard. Spectacular views over London for up to 40 miles on a good day are promised and the 360 degree views of London allows you to see the entire city at once. \u00a0You can take turns spotting iconic landmarks and enjoy listening to the interesting facts on the interactive Tell:scopes.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd February <\/p>\n CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES IN CENTRAL LONDON<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 Welcome the Chinese New Year<\/a> in 2015 this Sunday and celebrate the Year of the Sheep.<\/p>\n The event starts at 10am with a parade from Duncannon Street to Shaftesbury Avenue. There\u2019ll be floats, Chinese lion and dragon teams, free performances from noon with music, dance, acrobatics and martial arts.<\/p>\n Trafalgar Square’s programme will kick off with the Chen Brothers Flying Lion Dance, plus a host of visiting artists from China.\u00a0There will be fun activities across central London, including Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square and Chinatown. Download a full programme here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 22nd February, main stage in Trafalgar Square from 10am – 6pm, parade at 10am starting from Duncannon St. <\/p>\n CREATE AND MAKE: DESIGNING CLASSICS AT THE DESIGN MUSEUM<\/strong><\/p>\n Inspired by the Collection Lab <\/a>exhibition, drop in to between 1pm and 4pm and let the kids add their own twist to some of the museum\u2019s collection of design objects in this 2D illustrative workshop.<\/p>\n Go early and enjoy a snack in the lovely cafe with brightly coloured funky chairs and have a browse in gift shop showcasing an eclectic array of gifts.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 22nd February, 1pm – 4pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: The Design Museum overlooks the river Thames so is the perfect place to enjoy a riverside walk – with cafes and bars and a few sculptures too; all you\u2019ll need is some nice weather!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n LONDON\u2019S BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE COPPER BOX ARENA, QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK – UP TO 50% OFF WITH LITTLEBIRD<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 For an energised family day out head over to the Copper Box Arena this Sunday to see the amazing London Lions Basketball Team<\/a> and better still, book through LittleBird<\/a> and save up 50% off your tickets. Have a brilliant jumped up time watching the former BBL Cup-winning team play Surrey United or Glasgow Rocks.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 22nd February at 4pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Arrive early and have a game of table tennis – there are indoor tables and you can borrow bats and balls.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Make a day of it: With so much to see and do surrounding the Copper Box Arena you\u2019re spoilt for choice; there\u2019s the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Lee Valley VeloPark and Westfield Stratford City to name a few.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY: BOARD GAMES AT THE MUSEUM OF BRANDS, ADVERTISING AND PACKAGING<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 Enjoy some vintage entertainment and play retro tabletop games for free in the Museum of Brands, Advertising and Packaging<\/a>. Escape those winter blues with an afternoon of family fun, playing classic and vintage games including Connect 4, Jenga, Mastermind and various jigsaws. There are family trails<\/a> for ages 4-8 or 9-13 as you venture \u00a0into the Museum\u2019s Time Tunnel and journey on a nostalgic trip through 150 years of consumer history from the Victorian era to present day including branded advertising, fashions, toys and games.<\/p>\n Enjoy the family trails and helping the kids find out; \u00a0Who invented the first vacuum cleaner? What were Starbursts called in the 1970s? Which famous brand has the slogan \u201cWashes whiter\u201d? \u00a0Then head to the cafe and enjoy their selection of retro sweets, snacks and hot drinks. Mine\u2019s a Bovril and a game of Connect 4.<\/p>\n When: Every Sunday throughout February LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you\u2019re a National Trust member, you receive a 50% discount with your \u00a0membership card and if you\u2019re reading this What\u2019s On before the weekend – \u00a0kids go free Tuesday 17th – Friday 20th February – download your voucher <\/span>here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PROPS BY PAULA REGO AT THE HOUSE OF ILLUSTRATION<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 If you like whiling away with the weekend watching the fountains dance in One Granary Square, \u00a0visit the House of Illustration<\/a>\u2019s free exhibition and discover Paula Rego’s work as the props from her studio are showcased. An illustrator and consummate storyteller, \u00a0the renowned Paula Rego uses prints and drawings to bring her visions and stories to life.<\/p>\n If the family are feeling inspired, you can see the Paula Rego\/Honor\u00e9 Daumier: Scandal, Gossip and Other Stories<\/a> exhibition too but you\u2019ll need to buy tickets to enter.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd February (the exhibition runs until 20th March) LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Head to Camley Street Natural Park<\/a> – a beautiful urban nature reserve where you\u2019ll forget you are in the heart of the city!<\/em><\/p>\n BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Enjoy Big Fish Little Fish\u2019s <\/a>family rave this Sunday to mark the final day of the Southbank Centre\u2019s Imagine<\/a> Festival.<\/p>\n With the promise of glow sticks and glitter cannons, this free family dancing event is a must. Wear fancy dress, dance under the lights, shake your glowstick, watch the bubbles, get over excited by the glitter cannons and hoist the kids on your shoulders for the giant parachute dance. Get creative in the Happy Monkey craft area; make a party accessory, decorate yourself with a transfer tattoo, colour in the giant mural or have a squeeze of playdough.<\/p>\n The Imagine Festival has been celebrating the wonderful world of Lewis Carroll\u2019s Alice in Wonderland, with 2015 being the 150th anniversary since it\u2019s publication. Check out the various Alice focused activities including Mad Hatters & Masks workshop, The Imaginarium of Alice, plus Alice\u2019s House of Cards and Flamingo Croquet.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 22nd February LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: A selection of Southbank Centre restaurants have offers and events for children during the Festival this year. Kids under 10 eat free at Skylon, there’s a free babyccino with every kids-size scone at Le Pain Quotidien and kids eat for free at Las Iguanas.<\/em><\/p>\n FUN & FANTASTIC THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS\u00a0IN LONDON THIS WEEKEND SATURDAY 21ST & SUNDAY 22ND FEBRUARY THE MINI VAULTS UNDER WATERLOO STATION Head underground to the Mini VAULT Festival – \u00a0an explosion of family friendly activities\u200b in the secret tunnels under Waterloo. Experience magical adventures with fantastic shows and free festivities. As well … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,563],"tags":[1018,1019,889,1020,8,1021,962,1022,1023,1024,1025,1026,1027,594,1028,1029,1030,1031,1032,1033,1034,925,1035,12,1036,988,868,970,254,1037,1038,1039,796,1040,499,1041,1042,1043,1044,564,1045,983,1046],"class_list":["post-1075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-whats-on","tag-advertsigin-and-packaging","tag-arts-depot","tag-big-fish-little-fish","tag-board-games","tag-children","tag-china-town","tag-chinese-new-year","tag-chinese-new-year-celebrations","tag-chinese-new-year-festivities","tag-collection-lab-exhibition","tag-copper-box-arena","tag-costumed-tours-at-the-charles-disckens-museum","tag-create-and-make","tag-design-museum","tag-exhibition","tag-family-rave","tag-february-21st","tag-february-22nd","tag-follow-the-coloured-brick-road-at-the-arts-depot","tag-fun-with-the-kids","tag-house-of-illustration","tag-imagine-festival","tag-jubilee-gardens","tag-kids","tag-kids-go-free-at-the-shard","tag-littlebird-deals","tag-littlebird-co-uk","tag-littlebirddeals","tag-london","tag-london-lions-basketball-team","tag-museum-of-brands","tag-props-by-paula-rego","tag-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park","tag-soho","tag-southbank-centre","tag-the-mini-vaults","tag-the-view-from-the-shard","tag-vault-festival","tag-waterloo-station","tag-whats-on-2","tag-whatson-this-weekend","tag-year-of-the-goat","tag-year-of-the-sheep"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1075"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5702,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075\/revisions\/5702"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"mini_vault_festival_littlebird_whatson\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/02\/mini_vault_festival_littlebird_whatson.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Where: Under Waterloo Station, (turn right from Lower Marsh onto Leake St, SE1 7NN)
\nAge: under 11s
\nCost: Festival entry is free but shows require tickets with booking advised<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Where: Charles Dickens Museum, WC1N 2LX
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adults \u00a315, Children \u00a38, Children under 6 go free.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Arts Depot, N12 0GA
\nAge: 3+
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Shard, SE1 9SG
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adult tickets \u00a324.95 with up two kids free per paying adult<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The festivities take place in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown<\/a> and Shaftesbury Avenue.
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Design Museum, SE1 2YD
\nAge: 5 – 11
\nCost: Free drop in with Museum entry; Adults \u00a312.40, Kids \u00a36.20<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 3HB
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Standard tickets are \u00a317 or \u00a334 for two – book through LittleBird for 41% off one ticket (\u00a39.99) and 50% off two tickets (\u00a316.99); promotion runs until 20th February<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Museum of Brands, Advertising and Packaging
\nAge: Families (with family trials aimed at 4 \u2013 8 and 9 \u2013 13)
\nCost: A family ticket costs \u00a320<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Where: The House of Illustration, N1C 4BN
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free, with a family ticket to the paid exhibition Paula Rego\/Honor\u00e9 Daumier: Scandal, Gossip and Other Stories \u00a318<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Where: The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
\nAge: 8 and under
\nCost: Free<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"