Looking for things to do with children this May? This is what the Citizen Enfants team are loving this month.
May is the month when we start to think about outdoor activities, swapping jackets for T-shirts, and increasing our ice-cream intake! Half-term is just around the corner and the long school summer break comes soon after that, so it’s time to start planning fun days out, exciting adventures and family-friendly holidays.
Including interactive exhibitions, fun theatre shows, movie releases, excellent books and fashion finds (for kids and mums) – as well as family destinations and inspiring adventures for all ages, these are some of the best things to do with kids this May,
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
BUY I am in full buying mode for a newborn; even though it isn’t my first child there is something very special about newborn indulgence. Baby Mori is always my go-to for the softest, most gentle baby grows and muslins, and Love to Dream have the best swaddles and sleepsuits. BOOK I’m taking my daughter to see Starlight Express and I’m sure she’s going to love it! READ My kids are fans of a few books right now, Incredible You, Magical Bedtime Stories and What Are Little Girls Made Of? GIFT Perhaps slightly controversial, but I gift my kids something from the ‘new arrival’ so my daughter has some goodies from Stych Accessories and my little boy has a camera from KidsKam. TRIAL I’m looking forward to a fitting with Maison SL for some maternity bras, and no doubt I’ll be back post baby for some items that make me feel really good again. KEEP BUSY With another school break coming up (half-term), I’m booking Teddy Tennis for my kids (along with getting them beginner tennis rackets) which I hope will keep them entertained in the park with some good weather! SEE The Koala Who Could and Ready, Steady, Go at The Unicorn. I’m a forever fan of the theatre and the children’s shows it puts on. Plus, I’m ambitiously booking ahead for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s The Enormous Crocodile from now!
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
STAY We’re heading to our beach house in Devon for the May half-term; I always love the British coastline at this time of year. If you fancy booking somewhere with great sea views, check out Beach Retreats who specialise in self-catering holidays within walking distance of beaches across Cornwall and Devon. VISIT The new Jurassic World: The Experience at Battersea Power Station with my youngest. The dinosaurs look unbelievably real! SIGN UP To Paddington The Musical, which will open at the Savoy Theatre this November. Tickets are bound to sell out fast – sign up to be the first to hear when they’re released. EXPLORE Conservation Africa who run excellent volunteer projects for those aged 16 and up. From learning to track elephants to caring for orphaned rhinos, youngsters can get really hands-on while working with local experts to help preserve iconic wildlife and learn so much along the way in countries across Southern Africa. READ Emma Barnett’s new book Maternity Service, in which she takes a closer look at what being on on maternity leave really means and it’s impact on a woman’s sense of identity. Another book on my list is The Power Pause by Neha Ruch which positively reframes what it means to be a stay-at-home mum and to have a career break. I happily took nearly 10 years out to have my kids and I strongly believe that doing so doesn’t mean the end of your career. SEE Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the latest movie in Tom Cruise’s epic action series, is out just in time for half term and I’ll definitely be taking my boys to see it.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
VISIT We’ve just returned from a family mini-break to the newly opened XO Cape Arnna resort in Fethiye, Turkey. The interiors were stunning and the kids’ club was on another level. From spy-training in the laser room to a beauty salon with face-painting, it’s a mecca for ages five and up. BUY Ahead of our next holiday, I’ve realised more beach toys will also buy us more sun-lounger time! Perfect for imaginative play in the sand, I’ll be packing this set from Little Dutch – my go-to brand for aesthetically pleasing kids’ toys. BOOK We’re heading to The Peligoni Club for a big multi-generational holiday at the end of the month. Marrying a villa holiday with the amenities of a resort feels like the best of both worlds for our large group, and will hopefully mean there’s something for everyone. PACK My new Steamery portable steamer will definitely be coming with me. For someone who can’t bear ironing, it’s set to become my summer saviour for all things linen and silk. WEAR Nothing says summer more than cute little plimsoles and this stripey pair from Next are so sweet. DO Head to Pub in the Park, Tom Kerridge’s food and music festival, showcasing the best of British restaurants, pubs and chefs. There’s plenty of interactive kids activities too – making it a fun day out for the whole family to enjoy!
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
WEAR My son, aged two, now owns his first Prince T-shirt, which isn’t a minute too soon in my opinion. We found this (and so many other great band T-shirts) on Kidvicious. READ My brother kindly bought him a book called Long Dog by James Davies and he is obsessed with it. It tells the story of a child and his best friend, an unusually long dog, and the importance of being yourself. BUY This duck and slide game has transformed bath time for us. We now have to drag him out of the water, which is a vast improvement on the tears of old. VISIT The Southbank Centre has opened a part installation, part playground called Replay made entirely out of waste materials and it looks brilliant. There are separate play sessions based on age, but it’s suitable for kids from six months old until 11. DO One for South Londoners; we recently discovered Brockwell Park’s Miniature Railway, a tiny train that runs for 220 metres between the park gates and Brockwell Lido. Adults and kids can jump on for £1 a ticket and our son adored it. Head to 400 Rabbits by the lido afterwards for pizza overlooking the Art Deco pool. Speaking of Brockwell Park, we’ll be making our annual trip to Bounce on 28 May, a free kids-focused festival, with entertainment, workshops, music and food and drink. BUY How cute is this little personalised passport holder and luggage tag set from My 1st Years? Perfect for tiny travellers.
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Alexandra Carello, PR Director
WEAR The sweetest summer pieces from Tartine et Chocolat. I particularly love this playsuit for easy but adorable summer dressing and the pretty Liberty prints. SAVE All our holiday memories in the most precious photo albums from MH Studios. It’s such a special way to record all your treasured travels – and ensure you actually look at the photos you take. The albums are hand embroidered, made in Brazil and look gorgeous on a coffee table. WATCH Flow at the Cinema, a beautiful animated film for children about animals working together to help each other. BUY Summer calls for pink jelly shoes. My girls will love these and honestly, they are so cute I almost want to get myself a pair too! GET CREATIVE At a pottery classes that I can do with my children. We loved the pottery lessons we took on a recent trip to Morocco and decided want to do more in London. The kid’s classes at Pottery Studio 1 look like the perfect school holiday activity. USE This great heat protector spray to take care of my kids’ hair, and my own.
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