Kids

Parks and nature | Museums and galleries | Workshops and activities | Trips out of town

Workshops
If you're reaching the end of your tether, a good day course can be rewarding all round. Barracudas (0845 123 5299/ www.barracudas.co.uk), runs day camps throughout London incorporating activities as diverse as quad-biking, jewellery-making, archery and karaoke. Alternatively, your child could learn circus skills at The Circus Space (Coronet St, N1; 7613 4141/www.thecircusspace.co.uk), inline skating with Citiskate (7228 3999/www.citiskate.co.uk), or scuba diving with London Scuba (07000 272 822/www.londonscuba.com).

Kids' Cookery School

Turn the tables on fussy eaters by giving them a special kitchen treat! They should appreciate your pasta bakes, cakes and homemade jam a whole lot more once they’ve sweated their way through a shift at Acton’s Kids' Cookery School (107 Gunnersbury Lane, W3; 8992 8882/www.thekidscookeryschool.co.uk). Your reluctant chefs will learn all about ingredients and equipment while being encouraged to touch, feel, smell and taste different foods. They might even cook you Sunday lunch when they get home. Feature continues

There’s not much in the way of play spaces in Stratford, so community-driven children’s centre Discover (1 Bridge Terrace, E15; 8536 5563/www.discover.org.uk) is an unexpected delight. It’s an interactive ‘story trail’ where children are encouraged to be as imaginative as possible in their pursuit of fun. There’s a shouting footbridge, a cave where you can manipulate your own echo, and lots for fertile imaginations.

Art classes
Dulwich Picture Gallery runs an award-winning education programme for budding artists of all ages and abilities. Classes for seven- to ten-year-olds are on Saturday mornings, 11- to 14-year-olds can head along on Thursday evenings, and 15- to 18-year-olds can take classes on Tuesday evenings. There are also free drop-in classes.

Elsewhere, similar classes run at the National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk) and National Gallery (www.nationalgallery.org.uk). And the ever-attractive Camden Arts Centre (www.camdenartscentre.org) runs two-day holiday courses in anything from clay to mixed media. Somerset House (www.somersethouse.org) runs free (ticketed) art workshops on Saturday afternoons, as well as occasional 'studio days' for older children.
Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Rd, SE21 (8693 5254/www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk). North Dulwich or West Dulwich rail.

Drama classes

Little Angel Theatre © Gautier Deblonde

Little Angel Theatre
If your wee ones want to tread the boards, head to Islington’s Little Angel Theatre – London’s only permanent puppet theatre since 1961. Summer shows commence on Aug 9. Most productions are aimed at audiences aged five and over. The Saturday Puppet Club runs over ten weeks, and culminates in a show for family and friends.
Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (7226 1787/www.littleangeltheatre.com). Angel tube.

Pineapple Performing Arts School
The renowned Pineapple Performing Arts School offers a drop-in street dancing class on for eight- to 16-year-olds every Saturday; you just need to turn up and pay six quid. It’s a great way to either keep the kids fit, or drain them of excess energy. For the really keen there are also summer schools in street dance and musical theatre, for nine- to 17-year-olds.
Pineapple Performing Arts School, 7 Langley St, WC2 (8351 8839/www.pineapplearts.com). Covent Garden tube.

Polka Theatre
Less sporty types can get their kicks in the sticks at the Polka Theatre, a beautifully designed kids’ theatre which puts on daily shows (10.30am, 2pm) and runs school holiday workshops.
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 (8543 4888/www.polkatheatre.com). South Wimbledon tube.

A workshop at Camden's Roundhouse

Roundhouse
As well as being a superb music and theatre venue, Camden Town’s revamped Roundhouse features a high-tech set of studios and rehearsal spaces that are ideal for creative children. Courses range from rap to contemporary dance, film and TV to experimental drama; there’s even the chance to be a presenter on Roundhouse Radio, broadcast over the internet. Brochures and enrolment forms can be downloaded from the website.
Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 (7424 9991/www.roundhouse.org.uk). Chalk Farm tube.

Tricycle Theatre and Cinema
This theatre/cinema/gallery has a great reputation for its children’s shows; there’s a fantastic range of workshops on weekdays, with everything from prop-making sessions to interactive whodunnits, as well as holiday workshops and youth theatre.
Tricycle Theatre and Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Rd, NW6 (7328 1000/www.tricycle.co.uk). Kilburn tube.

Swimming
Only the hardiest families will take advantage of one of London's superb open-air lidos during the February half term. As well giving a unique swimming experience, many of these pools seem under permanent threat of closure, so should be patronised and introduced to a new generation. Brockwell Lido (Dulwich Rd, SE24; 7274 3088/www.brockwelllido.com) is friendly and set amid the greenery of Brockwell Park; Tooting Bec Lido (Tooting Bec Rd, SW16; 8871 7198/www.wandsworth.gov.uk) is quite awe-inspiring (and has a paddling pool). North of the river try Parliament Hill Lido (Parliament Hill Fields, NW5; 7485 3873). See our guide to London's best pools and lidos

Parks and nature | Museums and galleries | Workshops and activities | Trips out of town