\n Lumiere London <\/a>promises to transform Central London with 3D projections, interactive installations and extraordinary light art this weekend and looks, quite frankly, \u00a0fabulous! Using the city\u2019s architecture as their canvas, more than 20 international artists will be illuminating \u00a0some of the city\u2019s most iconic buildings and locations.<\/p>\n Transforming and illuminating London\u2019s urban landscape from Leicester Square to Piccadilly, St James\u2019s, Carnaby Street and Oxford Circus in London\u2019s West End, to the German Gymnasium and Granary Square at King\u2019s Cross. \u00a0Highlights include Garden of Light<\/a>, an \u00a0exotic garden of giant illuminated plants bringing a \u00a0tropical summer to dark winter \u00a0nights in Leicester Square, \u00a0Oxford Circus presents \u00a01.8 London<\/a> offers \u00a0a vast billowing aerial sculpture constructed from thousands of feet of knotted twine and in Kings Cross there is When: Thurs 14th \u00a0at 6:30pm \u00a0– Sun 17th at 10.30pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Wrap up warm \u00a0– this is an art trail that starts at dusk – and check out the programme here<\/a>, make a note of your favourites and then download the free map here<\/a> – you might not be able to cover the whole festival, but you\u2019ll be able to plan your own route with family and friends.<\/p>\n LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL AT THE BARBICAN, IN THE CITY<\/strong><\/p>\n Part of the London International Mime Festival 2016<\/a> (running until 6th Feb), The Barbican is hosting two great circus movies this weekend. On Saturday treat the family to the classic melodrama Trapeze<\/a>. With spellbinding stunts performed by the best European aerialists of their time, Trapeze offers a high-flying visual treat with an unforgettable finale and stars Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. \u00a0On Sunday, watch The Circus<\/a> – written, directed and starring one of the world’s most famous mime artists, Charlie Chaplin. On the run from the police, a tramp (Chaplin) unwittingly ducks into a circus, where his bumbling attempts to avoid the pursuing officers earn the laughter and applause of the crowd. Impressed, the ringmaster decides to employ him as an entertainer. \u2026.<\/p>\n When: Sat at 4pm (Trapeze), Sun at 4pm (The Circus) LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: The World of Charles & Ray Eames<\/a> exhibition (running until 14th Feb 2016) \u00a0is on too for those budding designers and if you go on Sunday the Barbican conservatory<\/a> will be open – it\u2019s the second biggest Conservatory in London and home to exotic fish and over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LONDON MODEL ENGINEERING EXHIBITION AT ALEXANDRA PALACE<\/strong><\/p>\n If you, the kids and the grandparents are into model trains, planes and automobiles then Alexandra Palace<\/a> is the place for you this weekend. The London Model Engineering Exhibition<\/a> returns for all to enjoy the full spectrum of modelling from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines through to the more modern gadget and boys toys including trucks, boats, aeroplanes, helicopters and robots – there promises to be over 2,000 models on display. Some of the models are so big, rides are available \u00a0– look out for the 5\u201d gauge steam locomotives within the Great Hall.<\/p>\n The kids will love the Model Active Zone where you can get hands as well as watch demonstrations of \u00a0the extensive Tamiya RC trucks display and check out the aircraft and helicopters in the flying zone. \u00a0Plus there are over 50 clubs and societies displaying their work and competing to win the prestigious Society Shield. Check out the Show Guide<\/a> and for information, the Show Leaflet<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Fri 15th – Sat 16th Jan, 10am – 5pm, Sun 17th 10am – 4.30pn LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Kids love ping pong? You\u2019re in luck – next weekend Alexandra Palace hosts the 2016 World Championship of Ping Pong<\/a> and LittleBird have 40% off tickets – buy your tickets \u00a0now<\/a><\/p>\n JOEY\u2019S FIREWORKS \u00a0AT THE PUPPET THEATRE BARGE, LITTLE VENICE<\/strong><\/p>\n Treat the family to a unique theatrical experience on the Puppet Theatre Barge in Little Venice and celebrate the arrival of the New Year with this new production <\/span>Joey\u2019s Fireworks<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n A marionette spectacle, the legend that is Mr Punch returns in his original form – on strings! Joey the Clown has a bag of fireworks to celebrate the New Year. However, the Beadle wants his nice bag of clean laundry and Burglar Bill is definitely up to something. Joey\u2019s Fireworks is celebrating the arrival of the New Year.<\/p>\n The Puppet Barge Theatre opened in 1982 and is described as \u201cone of London\u2019s more elusive treasures\u201d. An established 55-seat theatre with all modern facilities The Puppet Barge offers a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal setting for the magical and imaginative shows produced. Joey’s Fireworks runs at the weekend until 13th March and during half term.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 16th & \u00a0Sunday 17th at 3pm with a Saturday morning performance at 11am LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Little Venice is a beautiful spot where the Grand Union and Regent\u2019s Canals meet, and offers an array of \u00a0waterside cafes, pubs and eateries. You can take a boat trip along the canal or simply take a stroll along the bankside and enjoy the winding waterways – magical!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n BOMPAS & PARR PRESENT THE BRITISH MUSEUM OF FOOD, LONDON BRIDGE \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t been already, then don\u2019t miss Bompas & Parr\u2019s British Museum of Food<\/a> – open until 23rd January. .The London Bridge based museum\u2019s motto is, in true Bompas & Parr style, \u2018From Field to Table, Mouth\u2026 and Beyond.\u2019 and is the world\u2019s first cultural institution entirely devoted to the history, evolution, science, sociology and art of food!<\/p>\n Bompas & Parr<\/a> are all about the experience and an experience is what they promise here – walk around a sonic wonderland focused on chocolate where you\u2019ll be asked to experience taste against the medium of sound, travel into a walk-through tropical butterfly experience that tells the story of the unsung heroes of pollination in the context of global food security concerns, admire food art and immerse yourselves in historical and beautiful menus.<\/p>\n When: every Weds – Sun, until 23rd January LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If the museum has wet your appetite, you\u2019re in the perfect place – a hop, skip and a jump from Borough Market. Pick up ingredients for a family feast later or treat yourselves to some eat and go tasties and weather permitting, find a bench in front of Southwark Cathedral or perch by the Golden Hinde.<\/p>\n WINTER LIGHTS IN CANARY WHARF<\/strong><\/p>\n As soon as dusk falls, Canary Wharf\u2019s Winter Lights<\/a> invites you to experience a wealth of inventive and spectacular creativity as the Canary Wharf skyline is illuminated. Enjoy different forms of light technology and discover sculptures, structures and installations.<\/p>\n Interact with Liquid Space 6.1 – an interactive sculpture that detects human presence and shifts shape and size emitting sound and changing colour or head to The Pool and \u00a0run, jump, step or hop onto \u00a0pads and create mesmerizing patterns of swirling and fading colours. \u00a0Allow yourselves to \u00a0be hypnotised by the Infinity Pools and \u00a0have your mobile phone at the ready for On The Wings Of Freedom as you can activate lighting effects of a radiant cloud of butterflies.<\/p>\n When: until 22nd January, best viewed between 4pm – 9pm LittleBird Top Tip: Canary Wharf now has one of the UK\u2019s largest collections of Public Art. Go early, \u00a0download the latest art map<\/a> and create your own art trail of discovery before dusk falls and the lights are turned on. If tummies start to rumble, there is plenty of choice<\/a> including firm family favourites including Nandos, Wagamamas and of course Pizza Express!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n VERTICAL AT SOMERSET HOUSE<\/strong><\/p>\n Lucky enough to have been ice skating over Christmas? Fascinated and in-awe of anyone who can stay upright for longer than 10 minutes? Then the amazing Le Patin Libre<\/a>, a contemporary ice skating company from Canada with thrill you all with Vertical<\/a>. A 35 minute mix of intricate footwork, wit, speed and grace pushes the boundaries of what is physically possible and carries ice-skating performance into the 21st century.<\/p>\n Set in the iconic courtyard of Somerset House, mixing elements of street dance and circus and accompanied by an original soundtrack by Jasmin Boivin and unique lighting design of Lucy Carter – Vertical promises to be an experience that resonates and inspires.<\/p>\n When: Fri 15th & Sat 16th January 6.30pm, 8.00pm & 9.30pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: With all the wet weather we\u2019re currently having, do note this is an outdoor seated performance and will go ahead come rain or shine so the advice is to dress appropriately for the weather and umbrellas are not permitted.<\/p>\n EXPLORE ZOOLOGY AT THE GRANT MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n Ever been to the Grant Museum of Zoology<\/a>? \u00a0A ten minute walk from Euston Station the \u00a0museum provides families with a unique window on the entire animal kingdom and it\u2019s the only remaining university zoology museum in London. This Saturday, Explore Zoology<\/a> and \u00a0enjoy a hands on afternoon of discovery with the kids and get ready to be amazed at the natural world.<\/p>\n Have the kids ever asked you how heavy an elephant tusk is or how sharp a shark\u2019s tooth is or how many scales a pangolin has? No need to reach for google – let the kids learn through experience at this family hands-on specimen based activity afternoon. Be inspired to ask these questions and many more as the Grant Museum of Zoology enthusiastic museum educators will be on hand and ready to be quizzed. Why not download the Museum\u2019s top ten objects<\/a> before you go and let the kids create their own self-guided tour.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 16th January, 1pm – 4pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If the kids are into Zoology and love David Attenborough, don\u2019t forget about the Darwin Centre<\/a> at the Natural History Museum – Marvel at beetles and butterflies, metre-high plants and \u00a0huge tarantulas in The Cocoon and drop by the David Attenborough Studio for daily live events.<\/p>\n HOP ON & HOP OFF A RIVER THAMES SIGHTSEEING CRUISE \u00a0– 50% OFF WITH LITTLEBIRD<\/strong><\/p>\n What better way to see London than a cruise on the Thames – and with LittleBird you can enjoy 50% off.<\/a> \u00a0Hop on and hop off throughout the day, and travel by boat to spend the day in Greenwich or \u00a0enjoying Tate Modern and the Globe on the Southbank, enjoy a 50% saving off all tickets<\/a> with LittleBird\u2019s All Day Sightseeing Pass.<\/p>\n When you and the kids need a rest, you can simply stay on and enjoy cruising past HMS Belfast, St Paul\u2019s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, Somerset House, Tower Bridge and the London Eye to name a few, listen to live commentary, treat yourselves to a hot chocolate or ice cream from the cafe whilst enjoying the fantastic views from inside the snug of the boat or on the open deck – if it ever stops raining and some winter sunshine finally arrives!<\/p>\n When: First boat is at 10.15am (Westminster Pier) with the last boat at 5.50pm (Westminster Pier). LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you hop off at Shakespeare\u2019s Globe – enjoy their weekend demonstrations that take place throughout the day, including stage fighting and Elizabethan dressing as well as the exhibition and tour. You can save an exclusive 11% with LittleBird<\/a> at the weekends only.<\/a><\/p>\n SKATE FRESH KIDS CLUB IN HYDE PARK<\/strong><\/p>\n Hyde Park is a great place to spend the day and this Sunday, weather permitting, why not book the kids into\u00a0Skate Fresh Kids Club<\/a>! These fun filled group classes are suitable for any ability. Using games and rolling activities the kids will be guided through the basic skills of inline skating, ensuring lots of fun and plenty of movement. Skate safety, stopping methods and turning skills are also taught. Knee and wrist pads and a helmet are all provided and the classes run fortnightly.<\/p>\n If you fancy skating with the kids and you\u2019ve got all the kit, you can skate en famille on selected Sundays at 2pm in Hyde Park with LFNS<\/a> Sunday Stroll.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 17th January, 11am – 12.15am (Improver), 12.15pm – 1.30pm (Advanced) LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: It\u2019s easy to spent the day in Hyde Park – \u00a0head to \u00a0Diana\u2019s Memorial Playground<\/a> – inspired by Peter Pan, the playground has a giant pirate ship as its centre piece plus there\u2019s a great cafe<\/a> too! There \u2018s also \u00a0Diana Memorial Fountain<\/a> (maybe pack a towel just in case) and \u00a0if it\u2019s a bit rainy, check out what\u2019s going on at the Serpentine Galleries<\/a>, and make sure you visit the shop – it has some beautiful children\u2019s books plus a secret back room, a treasure trove of heavily discounted books; you heard it here first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fun and fantastic things to do with the kids in London Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th January LUMIERE LONDON – CENTRAL LONDON & KINGS CROSS Lumiere London promises to transform Central London with 3D projections, interactive installations and extraordinary light art this weekend and looks, quite frankly, \u00a0fabulous! Using the city\u2019s architecture as their canvas, … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,563],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-whats-on"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2311","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=2311"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5552,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2311\/revisions\/5552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"lumierelondon2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lumierelondon2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, King’s Cross
\nAge: All
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"thecircus1\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/thecircus1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Barbican (Cinema 3)
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adults \u00a39.50, Concessions \u00a38.50<\/p>\n![\"modelenginerring\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/modelenginerring.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Great Hall (via The Palm Court Entrance), Alexandra Palace
\nAge: All
\nCost: On the door Adults \u00a311, Children \u00a34<\/p>\n![\"puppetbargejoeyfireworks\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/puppetbargejoeyfireworks.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, W9 2PF
\nAge: 3+
\nCost: Adults \u00a312, Children \u00a38.50<\/p>\n![\"bmof\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bmof.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: British Museum of Food, SE1 9DE
\nAge: All
\nCost: Adults \u00a35, Children \u00a34 – pre-booking required<\/p>\n![\"canarywharflightfest2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/canarywharflightfest2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Throughout Canary Wharf
\nAge: All
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"VerticalLePatinLibre\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/VerticalLePatinLibre.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Somerset House Ice Rink, WC2R 1LA
\nAge: 5+
\nCost: Adults \u00a315.00, concs \u00a312.50<\/p>\n![\"explorezooology\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/explorezooology.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Grant Museum of Zoology, (Rockefeller Building) \u00a0WC1E 6DE
\nAge: All
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"citycruisesredrover\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/citycruisesredrover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Westminster, Tower or Greenwich piers
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adults \u00a39 (only with LittleBird<\/a>) and Children \u00a34.50 (only with LittleBird<\/a>). Under 5s go free.<\/p>\n![\"skatefreshlondon\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/01\/skatefreshlondon.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Boat House, Serpentine Rd)
\nAge: 6 – 12 year olds
\nCost: \u00a310<\/p>\n