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Things For Kids to DoKeeping the kids entertained - a selection of what is available over the Xmas period. The National Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green houses one of the largest and oldest collections of toys and childhood artifacts in the world. The collection, which dates from the sixteenth century, is permanently on display and admission is free. In addition, the museum runs weekend activities for children. For under-fives there is an indoor soft play area (this costs £1.50) and for over-fives there is a new art cart where, for free, the kids can colour, cut, stick, make and model to their heart’s content. The museum also has a souvenir shop, a licensed cafe, children’s birthday party facilities, and a garden with picnic tables (but perhaps not this weather). The National Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2. Open from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm. Closed Fridays. Recorded information: 020 8980 2415 The museum will be closed 23, 24, 30 and 31 December Another free museum just a bus ride away is the Geffrye that presents the changing style of the domestic interior from the seventeenth century to the present day. For the Christmas period the museum has a special exhibition which looks back at the traditions and customs of Christmas over the last 400 years. There’s also a popular children’s quiz desk that runs during the school holidays and this is now also open on Saturdays from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Throughout the year the museum runs special events for teenagers, such as jewelry making, to children’s art workshops. There also a restaurant, shop and special facilities for disabled visitors. Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, London E2 Open Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. Closed Mondays (unless Bank Holiday). Children under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult. Recorded information line: 020 7739 8543. General enquiries 020 77399893 or visit their website at http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk . The museum will be closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. One of the great Christmas traditions, of course, is the panto and this year the
Hackney Empire presents Mother Goose. The cast led by Troy Titus-Adams of EastEnders
includes Tony Whittle and Susie McKenna and the show will run to 6 January. Hackney
Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8. Tickets from £6.50 with concessions of £1 or £2 for
children under 16. Plus there are family and group rates available on request. To book
phone the box office on 020 8985 2424. And there’s always our local cinema, the Rio, which is showing The Grinch with Jim Carry from Friday 22 December to Thursday 28. Plus the Rio has its Saturday Morning Picture Club. Children under the age of five years must be accompanied by an adult throughout the performance but older children can be dropped off and picked up afterwards. Doors open at 10.30 am and the film starts at 11.00 am. The Rio also runs play centre matinees on Tuesday afternoons at 4.15 PM. Call the cinema for more details of their forthcoming programme. The Rio, 107 Kingsland High Street, ES Tel: 020 7241 9410
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