Need to get out of the house, but stay warm? Your toddler will love this!

Acton Park Play Centre feels like a bit of an undiscovered gem. Blogging about it, I almost feel disloyal to other parents who know about it.

It's situated at the south east corner of Acton Park, in a relatively new building.

Inside are lots of different toys, including plenty of role play toys - my daughter has spent a ridiculous amount of time playing with a wooden microwave (okay, so we don't have one at home - is she trying to tell me something?). There's a small climbing area, a small soft play area and a big table with glue, paper, pens, scissors... plenty of craft action at the ready.

There are also a couple of easels and pots of paint, with painting smocks at the ready for your child to create their latest masterpiece. See my daughter in the image above, about to create her work of art!

On cold, rainy (or yes even snowy) days, this is a nice warm environment with plenty to amuse your toddler (or baby), or even older child. It's always lovely and warm inside and you can buy a cheap cup of tea or coffee too!

For when the weather isn't quite so unbearable, it's great to spend time just outside of the Play Centre where there is a fantastic playground (to be featured on this blog shortly!!). Last summer the Play Centre put water troughs and cups outside so the children could indulge in some great messy play!

If you can brave the weather to get there, it's a wonderful relief from staying indoors!

Oh - and did I mention it was free?

Facilities:

Baby change
Tea, Coffee

Where is it?

East Acton Lane,
East Acton
London
W3 7LA
+44 (0)20 8743 6133

See it on a map, here:


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Tall, spotty and a sure bet for somewhere to eat with a toddler!

Originally, when I started this blog, I didn't want to endorse products or brands. But 'getting out with your toddler' often involves food... and let's face it, 'when toddlers go bad' tends to occur when you want them to sit and eat in a public environment.

My favourite place to eat at the moment is Giraffe.

Why? Well, it's really difficult to go past the balloon that they give to the children for starters. They also give crayons and paper to draw on as soon as you arrive. Quite often you'll also receive a cute plastic giraffe. All of these are winners in my books.

On the food front, they have a wide selection of different toddler friendly food. If it's one thing that drives me a bit crazy it's a child menu that simply offers chips three-ways - you know the one: beans and chips, fish and chips, nuggets and chips. Giraffe has a lot of healthy food, and healthy drinks - hey they do chips too - but it does offer more variety. It's well priced - with the mini-mains for under £4.50.

PLUS, the adult food is also great. Their club sandwich is to die for and their burgers are very delish too. It's not cheap, but I usually feel like I get my money's worth (especially if I don't order any alcohol).

The biggest plus for them must be - they actively encourage children to come to their restaurants. This ultimately means that the staff are great with kids. They expect spills and food on the floor, they know to bring the children's food out first and they are, generally, just nice to them. Not snarling or rolling their eyes at the sight of a pram. Or tutting when cutlery/plates/food is dropped.

In my experience they have been willing to bring fistfuls of straws, their cute little plastic giraffe toys and an abundance of serviettes. No questions asked.

Where are they?

They're in 26 locations in the UK, predominantly in London.

I've had great eating out experiences in Chiswick, Kensington, & Brunswick Centre Giraffes. My daughter has also eaten out at the Richmond Giraffe with her grandparents.

Facilities:

All have baby change.

Some restaurants will ask you to fold your pram (dependent on how busy it is), and are happy to help.

who needs the beach when you've got Brentford?

Swimming at Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre - 3.5 stars

A pool is a pool is a pool? Not to me and my daughter. She had not been exposed to swimming until only a month ago, and on her first experience of a 'hotel pool' was pretty unsure. Let's face it - being taken into somewhere that you can't touch the ground is pretty daunting... and she's a girl who loves a bit of messy play with the water.

When it's awful weather it's always handy to have some indoor toddler activities on hand that you can rely on.

Step up Brentford Leisure Centre! Not only does it not cost a fortune to simply get in (£1.80 off peak on a weekday), but it has a wonderful sloped ramp entrance into the pool that made it incredibly less daunting to enter the pool itself.

There's also a mini paddling pool which is a nice place to sit and have a splash. For the older children there is a twisty 40m slide, plus there's also a 'fitness' pool if you're there on your own (or with another adult!).

Why just 3.5 stars then? It's a little bit tired, and could do with a bit of a facelift... the outside of the building is a wonder of concrete! It cannot be described as luxury, but for £1.80 to swim and parking for 40p I'm not complaining!

Facilities:

The changing rooms have a playpen where your toddler can wait whilst you get changed, or take advantage of the family room with change tables, which makes things a whole lot easier with a little one. Take a 20p piece for the lockers.

There's a little cafe which overlooks the pool, selling tea, coffee and basic snacks.

Where is it, how do I get there, and when is it open:

658 Chiswick High Road
Brentford
TW8 0HJ

As mentioned, there is parking for just 40p (maximum of 3 hours). Some buses run along Chiswick Road. Check out the Transport for London site for more details.

Opening hours:

Mon, Tues and Thurs: 9am to 10pm
Weds and Fri: 9am to midday (excluding pools and health suite)
Midday to 10pm

Sat and Sun: 9am to 6pm

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Looking for more indoor activities?

• Natural History Museum
  
• Science Museum
  
• Get to the library - and get free books
  
• Music House for Children

A playground where I nearly had tears when it was time to leave.

Diana Memorial Playground - 5 stars

This incredible playground in Kensington Gardens was built in the memory of the late Princess Diana, and is quite a tribute to one who loved children.

It has so much to offer. It is free, and open to children up to the age of 12. The policy of adults only allowed if accompanying adults is reassuringly well 'policed'.

The many attractions are dominated by the huge wooden pirate ship. Without stumbling over too many adjectives, the ship isn't just a ship. It offers an amazing climbing frame, a big wheel to turn in the captains cabin, and you can even jump below deck and play in the sand, and peer through the portholes.

The ship is surrounded by a beach (read one BIG sandpit) and provides a good opportunity to play with the little ones whilst watching those slightly older, clamber and climb to their hearts content.

Wander through the playground further and you'll find tepees, wooden playhouses, a sensory trail (jumping on the big pavings that play different notes is lots of fun for all), and so much to climb on, run around and generally discover. Oh - there are slides and swings too.

Nothing is ignored here and it certainly isn't overly kid-gloved. There's a great rocky area that frequently has water in it - don't be surprised if shoes are off for

the majority of your stay. There are some little taps and fountains to play with... so a change of clothes might be advisable too.

Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Prams are 'parked up' throughout the playground. No secure parking for them or any bags however.

Cost: it's FREE. Park opening times are available at the website here.

Cafes: The Diana Playground cafe serves up sandwiches and hot food for all ages. The food's a little pricey. I'd suggest bringing your own, and indulging in a nice cup of tea or an ice-cream!

Where is it & how to get there?

Queensway, Lancaster Gate, High Street Kensington tubes are all nearby, however none are step free. Many buses run along Bayswater Road and Kensington Road.

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roar like a dinosaur? yes please!

Natural History Museum, South Kensington, 4 stars

There's nothing like animals to grab a child's attention, and the Natural History Museum has hundreds of them... stuffed, motorised, boned - you name it, they've got it (just none of them are live!).

Make your way through the many corridors lined with animals from all ages - the Dodo is a great treat, but the best of all, it must be said is the dinosaurs. With huge skeletons of an Iguanadon, a Triceratops, and lookalike baby dino's coming

out of eggs, there is so much to keep your toddler (and children of higher ages) entertained.

The best part must be the motorised T-Rex. You walk down the ramp hearing the T-Rex roaring and screeching! At this point, I found it best to warn

our toddlers about what was to come, and how much fun it would be to roar at a dinosaur.

Turn the corner and there he is, tail flicking, head turning, and a huge jaw with big teeth opening and closing whilst he roars away.

Prior to going to the museum, I thought I'd be writing about this saying 'It's all great, but skip the T-Rex as he's too scary'. But most of the toddlers actually thought he

was great! (My daughter shouted out "HELLO DINOSAUR" at the top of her voice).

With so much to see and a great interactive 'play with stuff' area, this museum can do with many visits.

Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Ramps and Lifts throughout the museum. Coat room that doesn't cost for any children's items. Costs for adult coats and bags.

Cost: it's FREE

Cafes: there are a few dotted throughout the museum. They do have a funny policy of not being able to mix and match - eg at the picnic area you wont be able to have your own sandwich supplemented with the restaurant soup'. The food is pretty pricey but remember that the museum is free, so it is somewhat justified. I also MUST mention how great the restaurant staff were with kids. My daughter was having a particularly clingy moment and the guy serving the food carried my tray around, took it to a spare till, and then carried it to a table.

Babychange: a couple. Nice and big with adult toilets.

The details: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

How to get there: South Kensington tube has a lift (from piccadilly line only) and a few stairs. Plenty of buses run nearby.

On a map:


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roo-joey.minti.com

playgrounds (and posers) galore!

Ravenscourt Park - 4 stars

You know sometimes when you just get bored of the same playground all the time, but can't be bothered walking for half an hour, or jumping on a bus to get to another one? Not a problem at Ravenscourt Park which has 3 playgrounds suitable for toddlers, PLUS a sandpit, PLUS (most times) a paddling pool PLUS, if you're a parent with children who are a bit older, there's lots of green space to kick a ball around.

We mostly tend to stick to the one on the south east of the park which has 4 baby swings (very handy for a toddler who struggles to wait) and a climbing frame with a fun slide. There is also a pretend jeep to climb and play in, plus a slide built into the small hill.

The downside of the park, in a way, is how good it is. It is mostly, very busy. On a nice day you could amuse yourself by counting Bugaboos. Or you can sit in the cafe grounds (there is also seating indoors with high chairs) at one of the picnic tables and watch the glam mums stroll by as you wonder why some people go to such effort just for a playground visit (heels, big sunglasses, full makeup), or somedays wonder why you don't go to that kind of effort yourself. It kind of depends on my mood :)

Though it gets busy, it is a big park, and i've never felt crowded there. There are enclosed grassy areas that are dog free, and there's also a pond with some lovely ducks and geese that are incredibly bread savvy.

The details - Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith - entrances on all sides - see map below.

How to get there: Ravenscourt Park tube has steps (surprise surprise), but there are plenty of buses from Hammersmith Tube (step free for District and Picadilly lines) which run along all sides of the park except the western side.

Cafe: Well priced adult teas, coffees, cakes and small meals (such as baked potatoes). Also sell child friendly food and snacks. No baby change facility.

Where is it?


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this playground is a diamond in the rough

Springfield Garden Playground, Acton 3.5 stars

It's certainly not the most glam of locations - a playground within sight and all the noise of Horn Lane, Acton, but the Springfield Garden's playground sure is worth a visit - for babies, toddlers and younger children alike.

There was a lot of flooding in Acton in 2007, so Thames water decided that it needed to do waterwork, exactly where the Springfield Garden Playground was. Rather than just lose a playground, Ealing Council rebuilt it, in a different corner of the Park, and this time further back from the ever noisy Horn Lane.

(It must be mentioned though, that the noise from Horn Lane can be a good distraction at times. If your child is excited by vehicles that blow a siren... this is the place for you!)

Sorry, on to the playground...

It's split into 3 quite defined areas. The first has baby swings, a small little climbing frame (which unfortunately has steps that aren't the easiest for the smaller children) with a slide and some little roundabouts.

The next one has a more challenging climbing frame and some 'big swings'. Plus some extra different kinds of swings and equipment to climb and play on.

The third area has a really cool climbing frame with a BIG slide that looks like great fun. Each area provides great physical challenges for children, and each area is covered by that soft squishy flooring that provides a bit of protection should your child (or you!) need it.

The whole area is fenced and gated, and is a decent size that allows your child to have a good run around, and not feel restricted by the boundaries.

I love this playground because it has variety.

It is however let down by some aspects of the climbing frames - whoever designed them seemed to forget that children do need to be able to climb up safely in the first place. With close supervision though, they're fine.

There is also areas of shade most times of the day and seats for weary parents.

Access: no steps anywhere

Babychange: none

Cafe / Toilets : none, but Acton High Street and Churchfield road are within 5 minutes walk.

Where is it?

Horn Lane, Acton (nr the corner of Rosemont Road)

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How to get there: It's about a 15 minute walk from Acton Town station (steps) or Acton Central Overground station (step free!). Lots of buses go either up Horn Lane or to Acton High street.

newsflash... toddlers love science!

The Science Museum - 4 stars

It's free, it's fun, it's BIG and it's got something different each time you visit.

For those still traumatised by school trips or learning, or simply think that their child is too young for museums... time to push those thoughts away and head for the Science Museum in South Kensington.

For your baby or toddler, get yourselves to the basement for 'The Garden' and the 3rd floor for 'the launchpad'.

The Garden is specifically aimed at the under 5's. There's areas with different textured items to play with, lots of funny sounds, places to climb in, a mini water rapid (with raincoats provided - okay they just put their hands in, but we all know this means that the whole body can still get wet), and an area with big soft blocks, mini hard hats and wheelbarrows (a firm favourite with Lily).

It's a nice fairly enclosed area, with brilliant staff on-hand to monitor/help the children.

The launchpad is aimed at older children, but this is really an area for all ages (parents - this is great for us too!). There are big bubble blowers, pumps that push balls through tubes, the 'big machine' that is too hard to describe - try and imagine a mix of pulleys, buckets, levers, slides, plus a hell of a lot of confetti! It's mesmerising! There's so much more too - lots of the littlies love the magnet block - it's just a few big magnets with teaspoons. What more could you need?

The surprising thing about the museum is its practicalities. They make it easy for you. Ramps, lifts, pram parks & babychange. Music to one's ears.

And... it's in a big building with lots of open space. If it's a wet weather day, this is a great location just to let your toddler have a run around the long hallways, and play peekaboo in the exhibition areas that erm... well that no-one tends to go into.

One last tip - avoid the weekend rush and go during the week if possible or early on a weekend. Otherwise... let's just say that the 'big machine' gets the kids pretty excited.. and we know how loud a room of excited kids can be!!

Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Ramps and Lifts throughout the museum. Secure pram park on ground floor (costs). Non secure on all floors.

Cost: it's FREE

Cafes: there are a few dotted throughout the museum. The ground floor one is the best (and has high chairs). The prices ARE a bit steep (the no-cost entry justifies this to me though), but 'picnic' areas are also throughout the museum if you want to BYO.

Babychange: yes. on all floors

Where: Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.


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How to get there: South Kensington tube has a lift (from piccadilly line only) and a few stairs. Plenty of buses run nearby.

Enjoy!

things they don't tell you... FREE books for your child

Bookstart 4 stars (would be 5 stars if they told more people about it!)

Okay, this isn't really something 'to do' as such, but it is such a great initiative and no-one seems to tell anyone about it!

The Bookstart programme gives a FREE pack of books to EVERY baby. It's as simple as that. And when your child is 18 months old, they get another FREE pack. AND, when they are 3 years old, they get another FREE pack.

Why isn't there more education and knowledge about this? I knew about it through a friend who had a baby, who found out through their friend. It drives me crazy that not more people know about it. When my daughter was having her 9 month check up (which seems to be an Ealing thing, not an 'everywhere' thing?) I was given a pack, but, not everyone at the same clinic was even informed of Bookstart. It seemed to depend on which health visitor saw your baby. Aargh!

Enough ranting and raving, and soapbox building... more about Bookstart.

It's coordinated by the charity Booktrust and receives government funding and heavy donations from children's booksellers and publishers.

In the first pack we received two books which my daughter LOVED. I can highly recommend 'Happy Dog, Sad Dog' by Sam Lloyd. We also received a Rhymetime Song sheet which we still sing from. There are also lists of great books to buy.

The 18 month old pack contained more books (a shame we'd already bought Dear Zoo - another must have for ALL children) and some colouring in pencils and more literature for parents.

How do you get it? Ask at your local library (you don't have to join, you may however have to bring in your child's red book), or ask your local health visitor.

A wonderful programme which should be commended... now spread the word!

a little tired.. but it's still worth it

Gunnersbury Park - 3 stars

If you want to get away from the crowds, and you're looking for a bit more space than usual, head to Gunnersbury Park. There's a lot of open space for you and your child to run around, kick a ball or simply just stop being just 1 foot away from the next person (okay, sometimes the amount of people in London does get to me!).

So - if you're feeling the need for a some personal space - this is the place to go.

There are a couple of playgrounds - one just down from the parking area (yes! you can park here - and it's free!). There's baby swings and other baby & toddler friendly equipment including a slide. There are also some 'big kids' swings and a climbing frame for different ages. It's certainly enough to keep your child happy for a while.

Mix this with dog walkers and their owners going past every few minutes, and my daughter is more than happy here for at least half an hour or so.

From here, head to the pond (not fenced off all around) where there are many ducks, geese and other fowl that I have no idea what they are - thank goodness everything at the moment is 'DUCK!' and i'm not asked to identify species.

Keep heading around the pond and you'll get to the little cafe which is somewhat tired, but that doesn't stop it serving great tea, coffees, cake and small meals. They're pretty relaxed about kids running around too.

There's also a little playground next to the cafe... the ratio of bird poo to swing / graffiti to equipment is however a little high, but i reckon you could gulp your tea down in time to trust your little one in this area.

It's a shame that it hasn't been kept a lot better - on this Wiki page here there's more information and pictures of when it looked glam!

Why go here? To feel like you're not surrounded by others and escape the bugaboo parades! It's a bit rough and tumble, but we like it!

Where is it?


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How to get there: to be honest, the novelty of driving and being able to park for free is pretty hard to refuse, but you can also get the tube to Acton Town (no step free access) and it's a 15 minute walk from there. Buses do go past.

Baby change: none - but plenty of privacy

Cost: Free entry, free parking... ah but wouldn't you know it they charge for the goodies in the cafe ;)

songs and silliness - without snobbery

Bush Babies - 5 stars

If you're looking for a music group for your child you can't go past the Music House for Children at Shepherds Bush.

Their 'Bush Babies - Music and Movement' class is a winner. Nursery rhymes, lots of different instruments, singing, clapping and hey - they don't even mind if your child chews on the maracas... now that's my kind of music class!

I've been taking my daughter since she was 7 months old - we used to go on a Friday morning and were in the little room at the back of the Music House for Children's shop.

But go on any other day and you're in actual Bush Hall itself. It's an old dance hall built at the beginning of the 20th Century and after a turn as a soup kitchen and bingo hall, it's now a concert venue (when you're not in parent mode, try and see an acoustic performance there - it's small and intimate... but this isn't a blog about my previous life as a habitual gig-goer.).

Bush Hall has retained its ornate ceilings and grand chandeliers, which makes me smile when you look at the constrast of what's happening on the floor which is covered in a soft mat, with kids frantically running around, jumping up and down or doing an instrument clap.

Emma, who runs the class (and a co-founder of the company I believe), makes it what it is with her tireless patience (child banging on her piano or trying to strum her guitar? dealt with perfectly) and great variety of songs makes this one not to miss.

Where: 306 - 310 Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush.


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Transport: no tubes provide step free access but loads of buses go to Shepherds Bush. If you're coming from afar, get off at Hammersmith Piccadilly or District Line which has lift access and catch a bus up Shepherds Bush Road.

Pram access & parking: Excellent

Baby change: above the Music House for children shop

Cost: £6 - £8 per session. Some sessions must be pre-booked. See website for details.