We’re bringing back old favourites in 2024, from Roald Dahl stories to childhood characters re-invented for the wellbeing of our little ones.
A great winter escape for the whole family (ski and spa included) and Scandi chic for your children’s wardrobe. Citizen Enfants’ January hotlist has culture, wellness, fashion and more. This is what we’re loving this month.
WATCH THIS The Witches, National Theatre
One of Roald Dahl’s most loved stories, The Witches, takes the stage at The National Theatre. But this isn’t The Witches as you know it. In the National Theatre’s universe, the witches are the most dangerous of all the living creatures on Earth. Disguised as ordinary women, they are as “bald as a boiled egg” with square feet and a predilection for “squelching” humans – particularly children. They’ve come up with their most evil plan yet, but the only thing standing in their way is Luke and his Gran. But he’s ten and she’s got a dodgy heart. Time is short, danger is everywhere, and they’ve got just one chance to stop the witches from squalloping every stinking little child in England. A rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart, this production involves a stellar cast and creative team. It’s a great one for the whole family but just as good for the adults to enjoy on an evening out without kids.
READ THESE 'Discover You' books
Mental wellness for children is as critical, if not more, than adults given the age of social media and external pressures. Recent research from the National Literacy Trust found that children and young people who like to read are three times more likely to have better mental health than those who don’t. So, looking to books like Mr Men Little Miss can help explain these difficult topics to children. Now, the antics of Mr Bump, Mr. Messy and Little Miss Sunshine and Co have come together in new collection of tales ‘Discover You’ created to build children’s confidence. The series of 10 books helps children work through feelings. Titles in the series include: Try Again – a book about resilience; Be Kind – a book about kindness; Worries – a book about feeling anxious; and All Different – a book celebrating diversity. LITTLE Miss Busy takes on too much, and this means she sometimes feels overwhelmed and struggles to be calm, and LITTLE Miss Shy can find meeting new people hard – she becomes frightened by the thought of having to interact socially and nervous about doing things she hasn’t done before. While the pressures that today’s young children face are complex, conversations about mental health and emotional wellbeing are becoming mainstream, and the first step to opening up the topic with your little one could be turning to page one.
STAY HERE Schloss Elmau Apres-Ski programme, Bavaria
The secluded alpine of Schloss Elmau is set amongst the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains, with jaw-dropping vistas of sugar-dusted peaks and lush green meadows, a fairytale-esque castle presenting a mix of old-world Bavaria and updated high-end luxury. This property brings multi-generational families together for skiing, biking, archery, canyoning, ice hockey and spa and wellness (the hotel has 3 family spa areas). There’s a large indoor pool with inflatables, steam rooms and saunas which are less intense so the whole family can enjoy them and a heated cabin for kids to warm up quickly post-swim. There is also a dedicated family area, with an outdoor infinity pool and a large relaxation room so you can keep an eye on them as they splash about. While this isn’t a ski-in-ski-out hotel, guests can experience Alpine skiing or snowboarding in Seefeld (Austria), Garmisch or on the Zugspitze Glacier – all of which are less than a 30-minute shuttle from the hotel, and you can rent the best ski equipment at the hotel’s Ski centre, as well as book private instructors for lessons, ski safaris and challenging ski tours across the glorious Wetterstein and Karendel Mountains. The Kids & Teens Apres-Ski Programmes are as unique as Schloss Elmau itself, with winter or summer sports in the morning and afternoon programmes (for children aged 6 and up), all conceived and directed by renowned artists, authors and educators, referred to as ‘edutainment’. Kids usually spend two to three hours in the mornings from Monday to Friday (and its included in the hotel price), followed by author’s readings or classical or jazz concerts, bringing to your stay a programme filled with activities for the whole family to attend. And if you fancy a bit of ‘me time’, excellent babysitting services are available and a kids’ club that goes far beyond the bog-standard activities you’d expect.
USE THIS Disney Home x Sanderson fabric and wallpaper collection
Disney lovers are in for a treat! In celebration of Disney’s 100th year, British fabric and wallpaper manufacturer, Sanderson, revived a trove of jubilant, decades-old prints for Walt Disney Studios bringing a collection of chic wallcoverings and fabric featuring some of Disney’s most beloved characters. The Disney Home x Sanderson collection showcases 14 wallpapers and 12 fabrics, many of which debuted in the 1930s following the introduction of the Mickey Mouse comic strip, with Mickey and Minnie, 101 Dalmatians, Snow White, Dumbo, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, Donald Duck, and Winnie the Pooh prints. Some patterns retain the exact proportions and details of the originals, including a mélange of scenes plucked directly from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney’s first full-length animated feature), and a scene that references a 1920s cartoon of Mickey, Minnie, and Clarabelle Cow frolicking on a farm. Another features a black and white sketch of Mickey Mouse, now backdropped by a classic Sanderson stripe. Others imaginatively meld old and new elements. Consider the hand-painted gouache Bambi, for which Sanderson weaved Disney drawings into its own vintage floral textile evocative of the English countryside. Or Dumbo, depicted in a brand-new yet retro-tinged circus vignette starring the beloved flying elephant.
WEAR THIS WHEAT
You can trust Scandi designers to ensure practicality with timeless style for your little ones. Danish childrenswear brand WHEAT (creating clothes for 3 months to 10 years old) has opened up its flagship and first London store in Islington, and it’s where you need to shop for your childhood essentials. Ideal dressing during transitional months (and generally the UK year-round), spring to autumn are covered, each item with beautifully hand-drawn prints for its seasonal styles. The brand has even considered extra features like reflectors for visibility, thumb holes for better hand coverage, soft cuffs and hoodies for extra warmth. With a love for playing outdoors, the brand caters to big and small adventures on all your weekend escapades, with sustainability at its core.
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