Keeping children entertained can often be a mighty task. If you’re looking for ideas for all things child-friendly, here is your monthly go-to.
From cultural days out to amazing hotels to stylish junior fashion finds, our Citizen Enfant’s monthly round-up will tell you what we, and our favourite mums, are up to. Here’s what we are up to this April.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
STAY I’m very excited for some pre-natal pampering at Pan Pacific London for their pregnancy massage followed by a glass of non-alcohol French Bloom and an afternoon floating in their infinity pool on their SENSORY Wellbeing floor. BOOK A series of exciting children’s theatre taking place, including Let’s Build at The Polka Theatre, an interactive theatre piece, great for imagination. BUY Perfect for small children, Tala Cooking has a great set of bakeware includes mini spatulas, cupcake cases, old-school measuring cups, baking timers and plenty of kitchen-friendly items. EAT At Kuro Eatery in Notting Hill for their new ‘Seasonal Tuesdays’ with a surprise four-course menu with ingredients from the local markets and suppliers that very morning. TRY The Tata Harper Vitamin Infused Cream, an easy makeup fix that I can’t get enough off. Hydration and an easy glow when you’re running out and about town. USE I’m looking forward to trying the Bamford Mother and Baby range from their bath and body collection to organic cottons for newborns. As a fan of Bamford, this will be a welcome, luxurious addition to our daily bathtime routine.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
STAY I’ve turned my attention to planning out the school summer holidays (with eight weeks to fill it takes military precious with three busy sons!) and I’m determined to fit in a stay at Watergate Bay Hotel. With amazing waves right on its doorstep, it’s the perfect spot for my young surfer dudes. SEE I’m not sure who is more excited to visit the BBC’s new Earth Experience, me, or my children. This immersive event at the Daikin Centre in Earl’s Court showcases breath-taking footage and music from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit television series Seven Worlds, One Planet, projected on multiple multi-angle screens. BUY Kids hate putting on sun cream, but the one my boys will put up with Sun Bum. High SPF and very waterproof, it’s great for kids who spend a lot time in the sea. I’ll have a bottle in my beach bag all summer. EAT I’ll be taking my kids and their friends to Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza at Battersea Power Station. They have teamed up with DNA VR to do an 1 hour session of VR plus bottomless pizza. The stuff of dreams for teenage boys. BOOK Once the Easter holidays are over, I’m taking some very rare time for myself and booking into amazing spa at the Lanesborough for some pampering because frankly I deserve it!
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Alexandra Carello, PR Director
STAY For the most magical holiday, stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Bodrum Turkey – I couldn’t recommend this hotel enough for kids and grownups. PLAY Making home-made playdough and colouring it with food dye. It’s a messy but very fun activity for rainy afternoons. SEE Puss in Boots at The Electric Cinema. I am planning to go with my four year old and try to relax in their cosy chairs. EAT We have rediscovered Benihana. The open cooking with flames is hypnotising for kids! BUY Camilla Elphick recently launched her children’s shoe line which is full of the cutest designs my daughter loves. These are a favourite.
Pre-Order – Mini Pink Maya Sandals
STAY We can’t wait to stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park where our girls will take part in their Little Rangers adventure, including a fun treasure hunt of London’s most iconic landmarks. SEE The enchanting, multi sensory Dopamine Land installations on 85 Old Brompton Road. BUY The beautiful yellow Floral Rosaura dresses for the girls from La Coqueta, and for me, the matching yellow Ahana lemon dress from Beulah London. VISIT Blenheim Palace for plenty of family fun including activities such as circus skills, balloon modelling, bubble performance, fairground rides, The Walled Garden, the Butterfly House, and much more in the children’s play area.
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Charlotte Stirling-Reed, Nutritionist
STAY I’m planning a stay at The Newt in Somerset. It looks like an idyllic hotel, in a beautiful setting and great for kids too. The perfect mix. BUY My daughter is such a water baby so I’m always on the lookout for gorgeous swimwear. One of my favourite brands is My 1st Years who carry great swimsuits and always take them on holidays. VISIT I’m taking my kids to Kent Life. It’s a great day out with the family. They have a fun farmyard and lots of activities and shows for children all in the lovely fresh air. SEE We are also off to the Observatory Science Centre in East Sussex at the end of the holidays to see all that’s on offer there for the kids. I really like taking them to fun places that are also educational. READ I’m all about healthy eating as a family and have just had Rooted Spice‘s new recipe book through the post so I look forward to trying out some of the recipes from that as they look delicious.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?