Spring is finally in the air. Plus school is out for Easter later this month. So if you’re on the hunt for some great ways to entertain your children during the holidays, take inspiration from the Citizen Enfants team and some of our mum friends.
Some of us are off to sunny climes with our little ones, while others are booking up stays in cool family-focused hotels closer to home, and shopping for stylish additions to our own wardrobes as well as our kids. Cultural and fun days out in and around London, child-friendly dining and delicious Easter treats all feature in our plans for March. So read on to get some super ideas to fill up the calendar for the month ahead.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
EAT At Borough Market which is a fantastic sensory experience for kids: stalls piled high with colourful fruit and sparkling fish, steaming pans of paella, sizzling street food, and cooking demos. I’ll avoid weekends and go mid-to-late morning on a Friday, before the lunchtime rush. Pasta-to-go and next-level crumbles from Humble Crumble. BOOK Given it’s Easter break, we are filling up the calendar with plenty of activities including the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace, mini play for my eight month-old at the Young V&A and the show Bear Snores On at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. STAY Whilst spending some time in the Caribbean over Easter, we will be taking a mini trip to Four Seasons Anguilla, a beautiful beachfront property (with some of the world’s most spectacular beaches), with an incredible kids’ club, bamboo pool for children, cookie and cupcake making classes for my toddler and tennis courts to burn off steam. BUY I’ve bought my daughter a very sweet crinkle Hunza G mini swimsuit to enjoy on the beach, which will likely last hear years as well! USE I’ve recently signed up to Wheely, an incredibly safe and convenient way to get around. I’ll be treating my mum to a Mother’s Day bouquet from their collaboration with FLOWERBX, hand-delivered by a chauffeur. READ We are very much into the Mr Men and Little Miss series of books by Roger Hargreaves, curious little characters that we enjoy spending time with.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
STAY Schools out for Easter soon and we are heading to Florida for a road trip with our boys. Part of the trip is a stay at Universal Resort in Orlando at the onsite Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel. It’s a great base to explore the Universal Parks and nearby Disney World where we will be making a beeline for the new Star Wars ride. I’m not sure who is more excited, me or the kids! WEAR We are spending Easter on the beach with friends so I’ll be packing some caps to keep my face out of the sun. I love this simple Ganni one from Matches. SEE My youngest son loves anything to do with the Egyptians after studying them in school last year so I can’t wait to take him to the new Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive VR Expedition to Ancient Egypt which has just opened at Westfield. We will be flying over the pyramids, exploring Pharaohs’ tombs and travelling down the Nile. BUY For gorgeous chocolate treats it’s hard to beat the selection at Fortnum and Mason. I’ll be getting my kids some of their delicious Easter eggs. GIFT I’ll be sending a beautiful hamper from Bumbles and Boo to a special little baby. You can choose from one of their designs or create your own adorable selection. BOOK The freshly renovated New Park Manor Hotel in the New Forest opens next month. It’s the perfect place to take the kids, packed with activities for all the family. ENJOY I love the Colour Your Streets Books, clever colouring books that feature drawings from all over London, from Clapham to Notting Hill so little ones can enjoy spotting places they know.
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Alexandra Carello, PR Director, Citizen Femme
DO Mini art auctions by The Cultivist. A membership platform that offers unrivalled access to art, their mini art program aims to engage kids from an early age. So sweet and entertaining for adults too. TRAVEL We have rented a villa in Marrakech with CV Villas – I am so excited to take the girls to the Medina. The villa is half way between the town and the Atlas Mountains so lots of exploring on the horizon. EAT Massive Meringues at Ottolenghi – always the perfect mid week treat. READ With World Book Day we have been focusing a lot on beautiful books. We love these beautiful books that combine words with music.
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Natascha Maksimovic, Suminagashi marbling artist and bespoke wallpaper designer
VISIT The Turner Contemporary this month for Beyond Form: Lines of Abstraction, 1950-1970 – a major new exhibition which connects the work of over 50 women from across the globe through a shared language of radical abstraction. The exhibitions at the Turner are not only free, but also offer amazing family drop-in workshops which are often connected to the current exhibition. STAY Margate is having a bit of a moment and one of the most sought after hotels is No. 42 from the Guest House Group. It’s ideal for families with nice little touches such as Yoto Players with a library of audio cards to choose from and Beach toys available to borrow for sandcastle-building. EAT Margate has a great restaurant scene for families. Angela’s and Dory’s Restaurants offer Michelin recommended seafood dishes, always in season and locally sourced. ENJOY Treat yourself at Haeckels, a natural skin care company based in Margate, with one of their amazing hand-crafted products or a rejuvenating skin and body therapy session LOVE Fossil hunting along the beautiful Thanet coastline. Hours of fascination finding these amazing treasures with the little ones during the low tides. TRY My marbling workshop book is launching in May with my incredible collaborators Knots Rugs London, where the event will be held. The book is suitable for all ages, therefore a wonderful activity for the whole family.
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Laura Burch, Co-Founder of Smock London
STAY We are planning a family trip to Vietnam where we hand smock our clothing, I am looking forward to showing my family the sights, enjoying some adventures and hitting a remote island for some much needed beach time! I love the look of Six Senses Con Dao. BOOK We have tickets to see Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House, I can’t wait to share the magic with my girls! BUY I’ve got some personalised hand drawn notecards from Alice at Memo Press on my Mother’s Day wish list… hope I’ve dropped enough hints! SHOP I’ve recently started shopping on Vinted, I can’t believe it’s taken me so long but now I have a teen I’m encouraging it! EAT We left London a few years ago and whenever we are back all we want is Sushi! I’ve got a girls night planned at the Mistress of Mayfair soon and can’t wait to try it. LOVE I was recently gifted the Ratan Ripple tray from Edit 58 – I’ve coveted it for some time and I absolutely adore it! BUY I’m moving house soon so looking for some artworks I can move with me. I’ve recently discovered Wilder Frame and I’m in love with her exquisite framed brass flowers.
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