December 2023: What's on London with kids

This December edition of the Museum Mum newsletter brings you a sleigh-load of family-friendly activities - less time spent researching equals more time to enjoy (or in my case, frantically google elf ideas!)

In this issue you’ll find 12 festive National Trust places to visit, 20 things to do in December plus 10 more especially for Under 5s. So, wrap up and let the merriment begin!

November got off to a flying start as I explored Amsterdam’s hidden gems with the IAmsterdam City Card. My personal highlights were: EVERYTHING about Eye Film Museum, the powerful Living Room light and smoke installation at Nxt Museum, the theatrical storytelling at The Museum of the Canals, and the stunning Dalí light and sound show at Fabrique Des Lumières. You can read more about the visit, and whether I think the IAmsterdam City Card is worth it, in this blog post.

I returned to festive London favourites - Christmas at Kew light trail delivered as always, and we’ve already enjoyed two ice skating sessions at SKATE at Somerset House. We stopped by London Transport Museum for our annual Father Christmas photo in their twinkly grotto.

We’ve discovered new festive activities too: Walking with the Snowman trail through Fleet Street Quarter and the enchanting house decorations and outdoor elf trail at Mottisfont - more of which below.

I’ve cleansed my Christmas palate with exhibitions: The Cult of Beauty combines history, art and science in the way the Wellcome Collection do best. Radical Landscapes at the William Morris Gallery brings world class artworks to Walthamstow. And the exhibition design at Gucci Cosmos at 180 Studios is so good that I came back days later, this time with museum buddies.

If this newsletter is useful to you, please take a second to forward it to friends or mention it online.

12 National Trust places to visit this Christmas [AD]

Capture the magic of the season with delightful decorations, themed trails, festive carols and hands-on activities at a National Trust place near you.

Each of these historic gems has a different Christmas adventure. Take a magical journey on the North Pole Express, go walking with The Snowman™, sit on the Sugar Plum Fairy’s throne, or step through an enchanted wardrobe into Narnia. Join in with favourite carols around sparkling trees, or indulge yourself with a festive treat from the cafe - my mulled wine at Mottisfont went down a treat!

Here’s 12 National Trust places in London and the South East region with family-friendly Christmas activities:

1. Transform Cinderella’s pumpkin into a carriage, see Peter and Wendy set off to Neverland and tip toe past Sleeping Beauty in A Fairytale Christmas at Polesden Lacey, Surrey. Until 7 January 2024.
   Follow the fairytales through the grounds and ride the Christmas Carousel (carousel select dates until 2 January 2024).

2. See the Toymaker’s creations in A Nutcracker Christmas outdoor trail at Nymans, Sussex. Inside, you’ll find Matthew Bourne costumes and The Land of Sweets house decorations. Until 1 January 2024.
   Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince stilt walker, 16-18 December 2023.

3. Take the Christmas Express to the North Pole at Mottisfont, Hampshire. Join the polar bear’s ball, and marvel at the Northern Lights. Become an honorary elf on the outdoor activity trail. Until 7 January 2024.

4. Help Mouse and Mole get Christmas ready with the family trail at Sheffield Park and Garden, Sussex. Based on the story book by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew. Until 2 January 2024.

5. Discover 12 giant Walking with The Snowman™ sculptures in the parkland and courtyards at Knole, Kent. Until 7 January 2023. Book car park.
   Plus 12 Days of Christmas showroom decorations (until 23 December 2023), The Snowman craft (10 December 2023), film screenings (17 December 2023) and carols (2, 9 & 16 December 2023)

6. Step into Narnia at Hatchlands Park, Surrey with a magical journey through the house and an outdoor trail inspired by C. S. Lewis’s beloved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Until 31 December 2023.

7. Uncover the history behind Frost Fairs at Ham House, London with its sugar banquet, animal house trail and fair-inspired garden games. 2 December 2023-1 January 2024.

8. Become Anta’s little helper on the Christmas Ant Trail at Emmetts Garden, Kent. Spot willow sculptures that tell the story of Anta Claus, with puzzles and a special sleigh. 2-31 December 2023.

9. Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas, help find the dozen presents that have dropped out of Santa’s sleigh throughout the gardens and grounds at Hughenden, Buckinghamshire. Until 1 January 2024.
   Plus 12 Days of Christmas decorations, musical Saturdays (2, 9 & 16 December 2023) and Christmas cracker crafts (10 & 17 December 2023).

10. Wander Peter Pan’s Neverland® Christmas at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire to find a ticking crocodile, pirates’ treasure, mermaids’ lagoon and Nana the dog’s pooch selfie station. Until 1 January 2024.

11. Find rooms filled with large scale Christmas scenes including an enchanted winter garden with reindeer-pulled sleigh and colourful puddings with hiding mice at Petworth, Sussex. Until 1 Jan 2024.
    Plus Carol singing (weekends until 17 December 2023), Christmas market (2 & 3 December 2023) and Christmas Lates (2 & 22 December until 19:00).

12. Guess which storybook has inspired each room in the magically decorated Chartwell, Kent. Until 23 December 2024.
    Plus Walled Garden storybook character trail (until 7 January 2024), storytelling (11, 14, 18 & 21 December 2023) and carols on the Terrace (2, 9 & 16 December 2023).

Note that all properties are closed on 24 and 25 December 2023.

Tag me @museummum and National Trust South East @southeastnt in your Christmas photos on Instagram - we’d love to see how you get on!

December 2023: What’s on London with kids

Here’s my pick of London’s best December events to make the most wonderful time of the year exactly that.

And don’t forget to check out my blog post with 100+ completely free Christmas activities for even more ideas.

1. Move through a winter wonderland with and discover magical creatures with immersive light trail Solstice at Battersea Arts Centre, SW11. 1-24 December 2023. Paid, book. Plus meet with Santa at their mini-North Pole, select dates still available. Paid, book.

2. Create and test your very own interactive video dance game inspired by holiday music in Christmas video game dance party at V&A Museum, SW7. 2-3 December 2023. Free, drop in. Ages 5+.

3. The Gingerbread City returns, this time to Westfield London, W12. Discover a city made from sugar, as architects and designers find biscuit-based solutions to pressing issues. 2 December 2023-7 January 2024. Paid, book.

4. Get lost in a light-based mural maze and neon art installation in The Luminaze at Wembley Park, HA9. With free live music and choirs every weekend in December. 2 December 2023-2 January 2024. Free, drop in.

5. Sing carols with Westminster Abbey‘s world famous choir, make a Christmas wreath and listen to warming winter tales at Family day: Christmas at the Abbey, SW1. 9 December 2023. Free, drop in.

6. From fantastical creatures to far-off futures, join artist Neill Cameron to harness your imagination in Family workshops: Fantastic comics at British Library, NW1. 9 December 2023. Free, book. Ages 6+.

7. Enjoy child-free time whilst kids make shadow puppets, Christmas lanterns, and a miniature Georgian feast from sugar sculpting in A Georgian Christmas Saturday workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2. 9 December 2023. Paid, book. Ages 7-11.

8. Make origami decorations and decorate chocolate delights in Time Travel Club: Festive fun day at the National Archives, TW9. Plus free face painting and Christmas carols. 9 December 2023. Free, drop in/book.

9. Enjoy storytelling, Victorian Christmas tree decoration making, and a family art tour with Second Saturday family activities at Guildhall Art Gallery, EC2. 9 December 2023. Free, book.

10. In Coalesence, 2,500 pieces of coal are suspended in the iconic Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College. 9 December 2023-4 February 2024. Paid, book.
    Combine with The Elves and the Magic Bear (9-21 December 2023), Family Sundays, or Father Christmas storytelling sessions (2-23 December 2023).

11. Design and create your own dreidel and enjoy a tour in Hanukkah family day at Museum of the Home, E2. More activities to be announced. 10 December 2023. Free, drop in.

12. Print your own seasonal cards and wrapping paper in Bow families special at Bow Arts, E3, and browse the Bow Road winter market. 10 December 2023. Free, drop in. 

13. A Museum Boy 2023 highlight was meeting Rosie Gibbens at a hands-on workshop at Zabludowicz Collection, NW5. And she’s running another Families create session on 16 December 2023. Free, drop in.

14. Create your own special recipe book and take a stamped postcard home in My Grandma’s magic recipes: Winter warmth interactive storytelling session at The Postal Museum, WC1. 16 December 2023. Paid, book. Plus ride on the Festive Mail Rail, and see the world’s first Christmas card.

15. Fashion a headdress fit for royalty, make playful portraits and tell surreal stories in Family festival: Winter light at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21. 16 December 2023. Paid, book.

16. Whip up a gingerbread treat, put on a puppet performance, and try your luck at different games in Fun at the frost fair at Museum of London Docklands, E14. 16-20 December 2023. Free, drop in.

17. Whilst the kids create miniature festive trees, you can tour Night Fishing with Ancestors in Children and families winter holiday stay and play at Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, SE14. 17 December 2023. Free, book. Ages 5+.

18. Hop on board a Green Santa sailing to meet Father Christmas dressed in traditional green. He’ll hand out sustainable gifts and pose for pictures as you sail past London's iconic landmarks. 17 December 2023. Paid, drop in.

19. Make a Roman Saturnalia-inspired mosaic at London Mithraeum, EC4. This ancient Roman holiday honours Saturn, the god of seed-sowing, and celebrates the promise of a spring harvest. 22-24 & 27-31 January 2023 and 3-7 January 2024. Free, drop in.

20. Celebrating the coming of 2024 with a family workshop with printmaker Neera Sehgal in Ringing in the New Year! at Pitzhanger, W5. 31 December 2023. Free, drop in.

I’ll share more events for all ages as they are announced over on my Instagram stories.

Please do mention me online or in person if you attend any of these events - it lets me know it’s worth writing these guides.

December 2023: What’s On for Under 5s

1. Foster a love for the microscopic with objects crafted from recycled material, moving image and sound in Squish Space at Barbican Centre, EC2. 1-3, 6-23 & 27-31 December 2023. Free, drop in/book. Under 5s and their families.

2. Watch Dear Santa Live at Arts Depot, N12 then meet Santa and receive a gift. 2-24 December 2023. Paid, book. Best ages 2-7.

3. Print wrapping paper to take home at Tuesday Tots: Christmas craft paper printing at the Garden Museum, SE1. 5 December 2023. Free, drop in. U5s.

4. Make a craft piece to reflect the light or an art masterpiece to add warmth to your home in Little Feet: Delight in December at British Museum. 7 December 2023. Free, drop in.

5. Nurse a star back to health and create a sparkling decoration in My pet star at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1. 13 December 2023. Free, book.

6. Play with torches, colours and shadows to create effects and tell creative stories in Early years studio: Shadows at the Royal Academy, W1. 13 December 2023. Free, drop in, U5s.

7. Get into the Christmas spirit with Dani the storyteller in Time Travel Tots' sensory storytelling: Festive stories at the National Archives, TW9. 15 December 2023. Paid, book. Ages 0-2. 

8. Sing, play and create with your little ones at Tiny Troopers at National Army Museum, SW3. Choose from Sensory story (19 December 2023), Christmas crafts (20 December 2023), and Music and movement (21 December 2023). Paid, book.

9. Sing and clap along to soul and Motown hits and festive tunes with Baby Gospel in Festive family gospel at Museum of London Docklands, E14. 20 December 2023. Free, drop in. Baby friendly, open to all ages.

10. Deck the halls! with Creative Kids at William Morris Gallery, E17. Make seasonal decorations, plus tour of the Gallery, singing and snack time. 21 December 2023. Free, book. Bookings open 7 December 2023. Ages 2-5.

Thanks for reading! This will be my last newsletter before Christmas. Wishing you and your family a joyous and magical December,

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