Polar Express
Become a polar scientist at the National Maritime Museum this weekend and find out what life is like for those working in extreme weather conditions. Members of the UK Polar Network will be offering child-friendly explanations of the latest polar research, running games and family activities, and taking all your questions. Who knows? You might be raising a polar explorer of tomorrow.
National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF. November 26, 11am – 4pm. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/polar-family-day
Charlton’s Christmas Countdown
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Charlton House, where the Great Hall has been decked with, if not boughs of holly, then certainly the odd bauble or two, while a majestic Christmas tree guards the entrance. Drop in this Thursday for kids’ crafting activities, warm drinks, seasonal snacks, carols and the lighting of the tree itself at 5pm.
Charlton House, Charlton Road, London SE7 8RE. November 24, 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Admission: FREE. www.greenwichheritage.org/events/christmas-switch-on-and-market/
Santa Claus is comin’ to town
Make sure the kids have their Christmas wish lists at the ready, because Father Christmas is back in his grotto at Greenwich Market. Find him on select days in the run up to Christmas and tell him whether yours have been naughty or nice this year.
Greenwich Market, 11 Durnford Street, Greenwich, London SE10 9HZ. November 23; December 2 – 4, 9 – 11, 16, 21 & 23; 10am – 4:30pm. Admission: £11.43. Advanced booking is essential. All proceeds go to Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice. www.communityhospice.org.uk/support-us/events/gmgrotto/
DIY decorations
Have a go at making your own ceramic Christmas decorations in this workshop led by local artist Fiona Veacock. Suitable for families, the class includes a chance to sketch out your ideas before having a go at moulding them into being with clay. Your decorations will be taken away to be fired and glazed, and returned to the shop for collection by December 10.
Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London SE10 9NN. November 27, 45-minute classes at 12pm, 1pm, 2:15pm and 3:15pm. Admission: £10 – £12.50. www.ornc.org/whats-on/fiona-veacocks-ceramic-workshops/
Matilda’s back!
You’ve no doubt seen the 1996 movie starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito, but this remake of Roald Dahl’s Matilda is based on the hit West End musical adaptation by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. It was a certified hit when it premiered at London Film Festival earlier this year, and now your little ones can discover the magic, as it’s showing in cinemas across the UK from November 25. The new movie stars a fat-suited Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull, Lashana Lynch as the lovable Ms Honey and breakthrough star Alisha Weir as the titular young brainbox.
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8NN. November 25 at 10am, 2pm, 5pm & 7:15pm. Admission: £11.80/£7.80 child. www.picturehouses.com/cinema/greenwich-picturehouse
Classical stars of tomorrow
The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain is performing its winter concert at Woolwich Works. Many of the musicians in this accomplished group will go on to have careers as classical musicians – and they might inspire your own kids to pick up a violin, flute or (if you’re unlucky) a French horn. Conducted by Natalia Luis-Bassa, the orchestra is playing five works including Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Symphonic Dances’ from West Side Story and Debbie Wiseman’s ‘Blue Whale’ from Carnival of the Endangered Animals.
Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD. November 27, 3pm. Admission: £20.50/£7.50 students and under 18s.
www.woolwich.works/events/national-childrens-orchestras-winter-concert
