OHficina’s nickname is Laboratório de Materiais Improváveis (Laboratory of Improbable Materials), and kids can work with these materials in this former greenhouse in the Parque Marechal Carmona, which has been transformed into a playroom for children of all ages. But playtime is serious, since the project is focused on education, environmental sustainability and art. “Our raw materials are the things some people throw away. The idea is to give these materials a new lease of life and to show people that they can always make something from rubbish,” Maria Peres, one of the project’s founders, told Time Out. OHficina is open to the community and schools on some weekdays, and has a specific programme at weekends.
Just 30 minutes from Lisbon, the Cascais coastline has wonderful beaches, good restaurants (especially fish restaurants) and even a museum district that you can walk around and learn as you go. And don’t worry if you have to bring the kids too. There is no shortage of things for the little ones to do in Cascais at any time of the year: educational farms, parks, more or less extreme activities, museums and swimming... lots of swimming. The hardest part will be getting them in the car, because it will just be a brief sample: there will be much left for the family to discover.