If \u2018Show the Love\u2019 Karaoke Glitter Parties, Theatrical Tattoos and Hair As You Like It – Shakespeare style be the food of family fun – Play On! This weekend the Barbican Centre throw open their doors to celebrate the playwright\u2019s legacy with the fabulous\u00a0 <\/span>Shakespeare Weekender<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s the opportunity to learn a dance inspired by the Elizabethan court in just 40 minutes, \u00a0be a model for an expert from the Royal Shakespeare Company as they reveal how to create a black eye or bloody nose, \u00a0make badges and crafty T-Shirts, dress up, watch stage fighting demonstrations, play bingo or make a film. If you\u2019re still out and about on Saturday at 6.45pm head to the <\/span>Guildhall<\/span><\/a><\/span> for a spectacular light and sound production \u00a0and see the historic fa\u00e7ade brought to life with 3D projection mapping technology.<\/span><\/p>\n When: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March, 11am – 6pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Don\u2019t miss\u00a0Burn The Curtain Desperately Seeking Shakespeare<\/a>. Experience this unique hunt between the Barbican and the Museum of London, either as a wandering poet, seeking words to create a master work, or as the Night Watch, trying to track down vagabonds\u2026 tours are at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. \u00a0Meet at Barbican Advance Box Office or Museum of London Information Desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SPINE FESTIVAL 2016: LIBRARIES OUT LOUD, VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS LONDON<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0It\u2019s World Book Day tomorrow so what better to continue your literary celebrations than at \u00a0SPINE Festival<\/b><\/a>. \u00a0Bringing London communities together to celebrate the arts and literature in libraries\u00a0 SPINE Festival offers fun activities and events for kids and their families to enjoy including \u00a0music, dance and drama, to poetry, storytelling and visual art.<\/p>\n There\u2019s the chance to meet filmmakers, poets, writers and choreographers at different libraries across London in a selection of Artist In Residence workshops as well as get involved in various activities. The Lego Club at Burnt Ash Library encourages \u00a0the kids to build their own models, SPIN in Bexleyheath Central Library promises a fun, interactive spoken word show bursting with a playful mix of poetry, storytelling and performance. There\u2019s also Poetry Parachute in Askew Library (Hammersmith) offering a creative writing drop-in workshop about all things that make poems fly, float and feel fascinating plus an Animation workshop in Hounslow Library. To find out what\u2019s happening near you throughout the festival, \u00a0check the listing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Thursday 3rd – Saturday 5th March LittleBird\u2019s Top Tips: Check out our World Book Day blog<\/a> \u00a0and pop over to our competition page <\/a>to enter some fab competitions from Harper Collins including the chance to win a Kindle Fire and a Nintendo 3DS.<\/p>\n PLAY HOLI IN THE CITY AT CINNAMON KITCHEN<\/b><\/p>\n Announcing the arrival of spring and the passing of winter, Holi<\/a> is a welcome burst of fluorescence following London\u2019s bleak and blustery winter, where families traditionally gather together and cover each other in coloured paint. Experience the spectacular paint throwing festivities that mark the renowned Indian festival of colour on 23rd<\/sup> March.<\/p>\n Popping up outside the Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise<\/a>, \u00a0this purpose-built party pod is a place where you and the kids can celebrate and enjoy. There are offerings of cocktails, canapes for the grown-ups and, of course, three-course meals for a price, but if all you fancy is thirty minutes of paint-pelting with family and friends in a colourful powdered wonderland, then that\u2019s just fine. Here are some top tips for Play Holi in the City<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: until 12th March LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: You\u2019re not far from Petticoat Lane Market, Brick Lane and if you\u2019re up with the larks (aka the little ones) – you could drop by the Columbia Road Shops & Flower Market<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE SPRING KNITTING & STITCHING SHOW AT \u00a0<\/b>KENSINGTON OLYMPIA <\/b>\u00a0– SAVE UP TO 38% WITH LITTLEBIRD <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0If you have a love of knitting and sewing or are looking to inspire and instil an interest, head to Olympia this weekend and immerse yourselves in The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show<\/a>. \u00a0Whether you want knitting yarn and accessories, fabric, sewing machines or embroidery threads you’ll find all the knitting supplies and craft products you can think of.<\/p>\n There are dress making studios, workshops plus a Create & Craft Theatre with demonstrations and special guests. View an array of projects from Matt Chapple, Chinelo Bally and Lauren Guthrie (The Great British Sewing Bee). There\u2019s an interactive yarn sweet shop, drop in knitting & croquet sessions, Mr X Stitch Inspiration Station where you can learn cross stitch with students from the Royal School of Needlework as well as exploring six Textile Galleries. And of course, you can simply shop til you drop!<\/p>\n When: \u00a0until 6th March LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Check out the Barbican Library\u2019s Knitting Club<\/a>. Let the kids learn how to cast on, work simple stitches and cast off to create their very own woolly masterpiece. It\u2019s free but you\u2019ll need to book and it starts this Saturday. For ages 8+.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DESIGNING LONDON AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, CANARY WHARF<\/b><\/p>\n Let the kids marvel at the wonders of science, get experimental and create their own inventions this weekend as the Museum of London Docklands celebrates Inventions that shaped our City<\/a>, offering a host of interactive activities to be enjoyed by the whole family. There is also the chance to \u00a0learn about some amazing women inventors in a celebration of International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, don\u2019t miss the interactive Mudlarks, the sounds and smells of the notorious backwater know as Sailortown and the Warehouse of the World where you can smell exotic spices and play games to find out where in the world imports to London\u2019s docks came from.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March, 12pm \u2013 4pm LittleBird Top Tip: Canary Wharf \u00a0has one of the UK\u2019s largest collections of Public Art: download the latest map and create your own art trail of discovery – for more info, click here<\/a>. If tummies start to rumble, there\u2019s plenty of choice<\/a> including firm family favourites Nando\u2019s, Wagamamas and, of course, Pizza Express!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MINI RUMPUS AT THE VAULTS, WATERLOO – SAVE 25% WITH LITTLEBIRD <\/b><\/p>\n This Saturday experience Mini Rumpus \u2018Under the Sea\u2019 Party<\/a> – \u00a0an immersive family event where you can dance, see a show and get involved with crazy craft activities. Let your marine imagination run wild and dress up in your most fabulously fishy fancy dress to experience the sparkliest party in town! Mini Rumpus \u2018Under the Sea\u2019 Party<\/a> promises families magical mayhem, mischievous mystery and lots of \u00a0musical fun!<\/p>\n Prepare yourselves for a musical procession and a live performance by the completely extraordinary and twisted brass band Perhaps Contraption<\/a>; take a ringside seat for incredible circus acts and hula-hooping with Marawa\u2019s Majorettes<\/a> and join the internationally celebrated Rumpus Kazoo Orchestra.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 5th March, 11am – 2pm 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CHOCOLATE TOUR OF LONDON – SAVE UP TO 58% WITH LITTLEBIRD <\/b><\/p>\n Whether you, mum or indeed the kids love chocolate, this tour was made for the chocoholic in you. The Chocolate Tour of London<\/a> will take you to some of the finest chocolatiers in London and there\u2019s plenty of sampling to be enjoyed throughout.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll visit Algerian Coffee Store Renowned for its chocolate covered coffee beans since 1887, pop into Paul A Young to sample some award-winning chocolate.\u00a0 It’s then onto the renowned Hotel Chocolat, before arriving at Freggo; the best chocolate ice cream in London. You’ll love Prestat and Fortnum & Mason’s before sampling yumminess at the East India Company Elizabeth I and finally Carpo – fantastic chocolatey treats from the heart of London. There is simply nothing else to say but mmmmmmm\u2026.<\/p>\n When: weekends only, 12pm & 3pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you love the idea but already have plans, don\u2019t worry – your voucher is valid until 31st December 2016 so perfect for an Easter chocolaty treat. Prefer cake to chocolate, check out the Cupcake & Macarons Tour of London <\/a>and save 56%<\/a> with LittleBird.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MUSEUM OF BRANDS, PACKAGING & ADVERTISING, NOTTING HILL<\/b><\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t been to the Museum of Brand, Packaging & Advertising’s new location in Notting Hill yet, pop along on Sunday for this fab activity for the kids. To say a great big thank you to mum, let the kids enjoy designing their own mum-tastic chocolate box this Mothering Sunday. You can enjoy a 10% discount in the caf\u00e9 too and fill your box with some tempting and tasty chocolate treats – Munchies anyone?<\/p>\n There are family trails<\/a> for ages 4-8 or 9-13 to spark inter-generational discussions about the collection. 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.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 6th March, 11am – 5pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Over the Easter Weekend 25th – 28th March, the museum’s\u00a0revamped Time Tunnel with be unveiled telling the story of the consumer revolution! There will be a whole host of entertaining and engaging activities, including talks, crafts and trails for all the family. More info, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MOTHER\u2019S DAY AT HAM HOUSE & GARDENS, RICHMOND<\/b><\/p>\n Treat mum to a day out at Ham House & Garden this Mother\u2019s Day.\u00a0<\/a> Beautifully situated on the banks of the River Thames, this 17th Century building is a treasure trove of paintings, furniture, textiles and unique objects. Tea themed activities and workshops are promised this Sunday and you can explore the house with free family trails and head below the stairs for the hands on rooms. \u00a0The Kitchen Garden<\/a> provides the caf\u00e9 with produce all year round, from purple-podded peas to salsify, skirret and scorzonera – the aim is to be as true to the 17th century possible – so a yummy lunch awaits. Plus this Sunday, \u00a0mum goes free when accompanied by a child!<\/p>\n When: Sunday 6th March, 10am – 5pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip; With Kingston 15 minutes down the road, don\u2019t miss The Rose Theatre\u2019s production of one of Roald Dahl\u2019s most popular books The Witches<\/a>. \u00a0Save 38% with LittleBird and book now<\/a> – tickets are selling fast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE GREAT BRUSH UP II AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY, PICCADILLY<\/b><\/p>\n Head to the Royal Academy this Sunday for this free family workshop<\/a> inspired by Impressionist artists like Berthe Morisot and let the kids learn how to create colourful canvases and illuminated masterpieces. \u00a0The workshop is part of the Royal Academy\u2019s current Painting the Modern Garden: from Monet to Matisse<\/a> exhibition as well as their programme of events celebrating International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, enjoy the RA\u2019s Art Detective Family Trails.\u00a0 You can download the Painting the Modern Garden: from Monet to Matisse<\/a> and remember under 16s go free to the exhibition. Or get the kids to make their own artist sketchbook to bring along, click here<\/a> for instructions and check this out\u00a0 if you missed the recent Ai Weiwei exhibition, the RA has created\u00a0 a\u00a0 downloadable experience\u00a0<\/a> just for you!<\/p>\n When: Sunday 6th March, \u00a011am – 3pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: You\u2019re ever so close to Piccadilly Circus and Ripley’s Believe it or Not!<\/a> with Planet Hollywood<\/a> a hop, skip and a jump away! Treat the family<\/a> to a meal at Planet Hollywood (no cooking for mum!) and then enjoy a fast track ticket to Ripley\u2019s Believe it or Not! If you like the idea but this weekend doesn\u2019t work – vouchers are valid during Easter – no booking required!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fun and fantastic things to do with the kids in London this Weekend & for Mother\u2019s Day Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March SHAKESPEARE WEEKENDER AT THE BARBICAN, IN THE CITY If \u2018Show the Love\u2019 Karaoke Glitter Parties, Theatrical Tattoos and Hair As You Like It – Shakespeare style be the food of family … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2656,563],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ideas","category-whats-on"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3086","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=3086"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3086\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5504,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3086\/revisions\/5504"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"shakespeareweekender\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shakespeareweekender.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Barbican Centre (Foyers) EC2Y 8DS
\nAge: 6+
\nCost: Free and ticketed events<\/p>\n![\"spinefestival\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/spinefestival.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Various libraries throughout London
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free but some events require booking<\/p>\n![\"holicinnamonkitchen\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/holicinnamonkitchen.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise , \u00a0EC2M 4YL
\nAge: Families
\nCost: \u00a38 per person (including colours and overalls)<\/p>\n![\"knittingstitchingshow\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/knittingstitchingshow.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: \u00a0Olympia, W14 8UX
\nAge: All ages
\nCost: Save up to 38% on tickets<\/a>; Adults, \u00a310, Children, \u00a35, only with LittleBird<\/a><\/p>\n![\"designinglondondocklands\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/designinglondondocklands.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL
\nAge: 5+
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"minirumpusLB\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/minirumpusLB.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Under Waterloo Station, (turn right from Lower Marsh onto Leake St, SE1 7NN)
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Save 25%<\/a> with LittleBird & book now<\/a> before tickets sell out! Children \u00a37.50, Adults \u00a310.50<\/p>\n![\"chocolatetourLB\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/chocolatetourLB.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Algerian Coffee Store, W1D 4PB
\nAge: Families (but note the tour lasts 2.5 hours)
\nCost: Save up to 58%<\/a> with LittleBird, 2 people; \u00a328, a family of 4; \u00a355 – book now<\/a><\/p>\n![\"mothersdaymuseumofbrands\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/mothersdaymuseumofbrands.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, W11 1QT
\nAge: Families (with family trials aimed at 4 \u2013 8 and 9 \u2013 13)
\nCost: Free with standard admission (adults \u00a37.50 & kids \u00a33)<\/p>\n![\"mothersdayhamhouse\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/mothersdayhamhouse.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Ham House & Gardens, TW10 7RS
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free event with normal admission prices \u00a0(Adults \u00a310.40, Children \u00a35.20)<\/p>\n![\"RAfamilystudio1\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2016\/03\/RAfamilystudio1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Royal Academy, W1J 0BD
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free, drop in<\/p>\n