Keep the kids happy this summer break with these fun ideas in and around Soho!

Well Mums and Dads! It’s that time again, the summer

holidays are upon us and very soon you’ll have the daunting task of keeping the

kids amused for what may seem like the longest six weeks ever!

So for all you

living in and around the Soho area, what is there to do to keep your brood

happy? Here are some ideas to kick off the summer hols with a bang!

Books and Reading

Charing Cross Library is a great and often overlooked option for many parents.

I have often walked past this building on my way through to Soho from Charing

Cross Station or Trafalgar Square and only in the last couple of years that

I’ve actually stepped foot inside and found a book-lovers paradise amongst the

hustle and bustle and there’s plenty for kids too;

Children can join the Space Hop summer reading scheme, with loads of activities

and events happening in every library.

Teenagers have a more advanced task in 'Read it to Win it!' – where 11-16 year

olds are invites to take part in challenges and win prizes along the way.

For the toddlers in the family, there is Rhyme Time for Under 5s

Get Active!

If you can, why not persuade your little angels’ attentions away from the TV or

Playstation and get them up and active!

Kids can take part in free community sports through the Asda Sporting Chance

website. Activities include football, martial arts, dance, golf, bowling,

swimming, laser quest and gymnastics, depending on your area. It runs during

school holidays, re-starting at the beginning of each.

With dozens of activities there is bound to be something that will interest

your children. You just need to download a voucher from the website, find and

confirm your child's place at a session to take part.

Some of the activities have age restrictions or may be limited to one session

per child – so check the website for more details.

The iconic Covent Garden dance school,Pineapple Dance Studios, isn't just for

adults, with 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. 7 Langley St, WC2.

Or try the Rudeye Under-18 Summer Street Dance Workshop where Rudeye Agency

choreographers lead this workshop in 'fusion funk' - a mixture of street dance,

locking, popping and robotics. Age 7-17.

Art and History

The National Gallery will have plenty of activities to keep the kids amused

this summer will a host of talks, workshops, and holiday fun for all ages. A

great place to go - really exciting when you are a little one walking around

looking at the fab old pictures - and there's Trafalgar Square just outside!!

There's even a special kids part of the website

How about a visit to the Museum of Soho for the older children, to learn about

the area they live in, what makes it such a unique and vibrant place, its

history and its future, all explore through a fantastic collection of artefacts

and documents.

London Brass Rubbing Centre

There are more than 90 replica brasses to make rubbings of, including costumed

ladies, medieval knights in armour, St George and the dragon, and Shakespeare.

Images to work on include British church brasses, floriated European brasses

and Zodiac woodcuts. Children often enjoy rubbing the animals at the feet of

the brasses: lions, unicorns, sheep and a particularly popular dragon.

Children's Art Day: Photo family tree

A drop-in workshop for families; those attending should take copies of family

photos to create a family tree - visit website for details

Theatre and the Big Screen

If you prefer your child experiences a little more drama in their summer break,

then why not take advantage of these free theatre ticket offers;

Free theatre tickets for the under 26 with A Night Less Ordinary

Or take advantage of Kids Week, where children aged 5-16 years old can see an

awesome selection of shows for free, as long as they are accompanied by an

adult paying full price.

Try CineKids at the Soho Curzon, creatively engaging a new generation of cinema

lovers, Curzon Cinemas introduces an exciting new programme for all the family

including a film related activity after each screening.

For Children under 14 tickets are £3.00 and Adults are £1. If there are more

adults per child in a group the extra adults will be charged the child ticket

price.

You will have probably exhausted all the cartoon offerings at the cinema before

the summer is through by now, what with Toy Story 3 and Shrek 4, so why not

head to the Cartoon Museum and see how it’s done! The first-floor gallery

promises to be the ‘most interesting for your child’ and includes original

artwork loaned by publications like the Beano and the Dandy. There’s a

cartoonist in residence and lots to make and do. Visit the museum’s website for

details of cartooning and animation workshops. 35 Little Russell St, WC1.

Best of the rest!

How a festival designed just for kids? The Children's festival in London is at

Imagine at the Southbank Centre (0844 847 9910) and is a fantastic festival designed

for children aged five-11. With stand-up comedy, music, poetry and storytelling

events, as well a series of free performances and workshops, you’ll be sure to

find something to keep the kids entertained! 

When mud pies and worm tea just don’t cut it, then maybe it’s time to enrol

your bundle of joy in one of these fun and informal children’s cookery sessions

with L‘atelier des Chefs: Kids Can Cook! Young foodies can prepare and cook

savoury and sweet dishes during these sessions, then sit down to enjoy their

work. Booking recommended. Age 9+.

Well if all that doesn't tempt your kids, then I'm afraid the summer break will

feel that much longer! If you have any more fun ideas to share, get them up on the site!