Hi guys! This blog post is all about what we have done this half term. Many of you will have children on half term this week so hopefully you will be able to gain some ideas and days out inspiration. I also will be able to look back on this next year for some ideas of my own as lots of the events will be on again next year. I love looking back at our memories of what we’ve done together!
Halloween on the London Eye
First up was a spooky storytelling session on the London eye! This was the first time we’ve ever been on the London eye, so that was special in itself. Then add on a storyteller, a giant pumpkin and some other props – along with four spooky tales, it was the perfect Halloween activity.
Included in our experience was a hotel chocolat goody bag, 30 minute rotation, fast track onto the London eye and of course the spooky storyteller.
This event is now SOLD OUT. Definitely one to book on early to next year!
Diwali event at Brent Cross
We popped into Brent Cross to see their Diwali celebrations before we went for dinner. I was only planning on staying for ten minutes but there was so much to do. This event is finished now as it was only on for that weekend, but just wanted to spread the word of the fabulous free events that Brent Cross always put on.
There was arts and crafts, henna, storytelling for the kids (which Jai did not want to leave!) and it was all decorated so beautifully. It really got us in the spirit of the beautiful festival of light!
Kids eat free – at YO! Sushi
We were kindly invited along for a family meal at one of our FAVE restaurants. I have to be honest though, it’s not somewhere I thought about taking the kids, especially as Jai is such a fussy eater. We obviously loved our food as always. Avocado Maki, pumpkin katsu curry, Tofu katsu curry…. the list goes on….. my favourite foods ever!
We were pleasantly surprised that Jai actually tucked into the cucumber maki, chicken katsu curry and the biggest hit of all was the Japanese fries which were so yummy!
Kids eat free this half term…and with the mini ninja meal, they get a starter, main and drink for free!! Add a dessert for just £1.50!
Pumpkin festival at Willows activity farm
On Monday we headed to Willows activity farm, and again, we had never been there before – so a new one to us! We drove past recently and it looked fab – the big Peter rabbit sign got Jai really excited, so we knew we had to make a trip!
There is so much to do besides the Halloween activities, such as: feeding the farm animals, meeting Peter rabbit and friends, watching shows (there’s currently a seasonal one on) going on rides, riding on the runaway tractor and using the huge indoor soft play! All of this is included in the price, including the rides which you’d normally have to pay for elsewhere!
Then there’s a huge pumpkin patch where there are some great photo ops! Plus, all children get to take home a pumpkin for free! Or, if you’d prefer, head to the pumpkin carving tent where you can get the messiness out of the way and carve your scary pumpkin. There’s also lots of Halloween themed arts and crafts in there, which Jai really enjoyed!
The whole farm was decorated amazingly for Halloween! Such a lovely day out for the half term. We spent over 5 hours there, and could have easily spent longer.
The Gruffalo trail
This is a free trail which you can find all year round at Horsenden Hill, near Perivale. If you watched our stories, you would have seen we got into a bit of a nightmare! We found the first two characters, but then took a wrong turn and got lost. We came across someone who looked like a stereotypical MURDERER and then a group of women who appeared to be doing some sort of WITCHCRAFT in the middle of the woods. Spooky stuff fit for Halloween 😂 It’s safe to say that after that we got out of there as fast as we could and didn’t see the Gruffalo!
Don’t let that put you off though! We are definitely going back as it’s so close to us and we have to finish what we started!
My tips are:
Don’t take a buggy
Take a photo of the map which is located at the start (we didn’t see this)
Go with another adult just in case 😂
The pumpkin trail at Northfields allotments
Now this event is only on for the one day, but I’m writing about it as this post will be shared again next year. We love this annual event in the community I grew up in. Northfields allotments are the oldest in London, and this event originally began a few years ago as they were at risk of being built upon.
The allotments have now been saved, but this fabulously free event lives on. The allotment is filled with pumpkins, skeletons, wizard huts, witches and much more! There are hot drinks, mulled wine and a BBQ – all of which are reasonably priced.
Last year, it was great weather and we went at about 6.30pm when it was dark. Everyone was using torches to find their way. This year the weather was rubbish – rainy and cold, so we opted to go earlier on (didn’t want to be slipping over whilst holding Mila!) I definitely think it was more fun in the dark, and next year I will go at a later time – depending on the weather!
Stick man at the Oxford Playhouse
Our final day out was a trip to the Oxford Playhouse to watch Stick man!
It’s another fabulous show by Freckle productions and includes all of the high energy, lovely songs and the interactivity we expect from one of their shows!
The Stick Man is a children’s story by Julia Donaldson, which focuses on the adventure of a stick who gets separated from his family. This adaption is original and funny – it got lots of giggles from Jai! There were also plenty of opportunities to get the audience involved which Jai always loves.
The show is 1 hour long with no interval. It’s showing at the Oxford Playhouse until the 30th October – and then continues touring various locations until the end of the year.
It’s also on in London at the LSQ theatre until 5th January 2020!
OUR LONDON LIFE 