Looking ahead for Christmas? Oh yes. This is one event to get tickets for and the gifts to stock up on, from now.
Plus, we’re filling up October half-term, dressing up for Halloween, taking a UK getaway to this fabulous new opening and discovering the magic of cinema with our littles. October is looking to be a great one for the kids. This month’s Citizen Enfants’ hotlist is exciting, its cosy and its magical.
ADD TO GIFT LIST Jellycat
Looking for a special and lasting gift this festive season? Jellycat offers a world of whimsy and comfort, with irresistibly soft and beautifully designed toys that spark joy and imagination in children. For 25 years, this beloved London-based brand has been creating the softest of plush companions, from the iconic Bashful Bunny to the quirky Amuseables range, where Christmas themed objects, like Christmas trees, stars and even a cheese fondue set are reimagined in cuddly toy form. Each Jellycat creation encourages imaginative play, emotional comfort, and endless cuddles – making them the perfect keepsake for children to treasure throughout their childhood. – Rachel Story.
SEE THIS Barbican's Family Film Week
Every autumn, Barbican Family Film Week transforms the Centre into a vibrant tapestry of storytelling, wonder and communal joy — a celebration that invites children and adults to rediscover the magic of cinema. At the end of October, across a week packed with international premieres, timeless classics and hand‑picked short films, the programme embraces creativity and inclusivity with equal zeal: there are relaxed screenings crafted for neurodiverse audiences; pre‑film introductions, quizzes and hands‑on activities; afternoons of rhyme, music, and animated adventures; and even decorative spookiness for Halloween.
VISIT THIS POP-UP Meri Meri, Notting Hill
Stepping into the Meri Meri pop‑up in Notting Hill feels like entering a dreambox of kid’s celebrations from every shelf to every garland to costume. Born forty years ago from Meredithe Stuart‑Smith’s handcrafted cards, the brand has blossomed into the steward of children’s party magic. In Notting Hill, its first London storefront, you’ll find the sparkle of tulle capes, the anticipation of transforming a space for Halloween or a birthday. It’s stylish, joyful, aspirational yet accessible. This Meri Meri pop‑up isn’t just shopping, it’s a ritual that you’ll want to embrace with your kids as you dress up for the month to come.
STAY HERE Mad Swans, Mendips
Set against the rolling hills of the Mendips in Somerset, newly opened Mad Swans reimagines play and modern hospitality — eco‑cabin stays, standout dining, and a 12‑hole golf experience that’s fun, fast, and far from ordinary. It’s the latest venture from the team behind Beaverbrook, and they’ve created more than just a destination: a social sanctuary for rookies and pros, families, couples, and friends. Among its highlights are a Put Patch mini‑golf, pickleball & padel courts, a private swing‑barn driving range, augmented reality darts and shuffleboard. Dining options include two restaurants — The Potting Shed offering creative countryside classics, and The Hangout, a bright, casual spot for pizzas and fun desserts. The eco-cabin stays are nestled in nature, with spacious layouts and big windows framing the landscape, gerat fun for birdwatching if you want to have some no-screen time and welcoming and comfortable if you want to take a quiet break from play. Plus, for families, the eco-cabins can be paired together with a shared living space, welcoming up to 8 guests, and The Hangout’s ice-cream bar will keep kids coming back for more, where guests can choose from a number of flavours, toppings, sauces and extra surprises.
BUY THIS 'The Family Home' by Courtney and Michael Adamo
Add to your coffee table with new book ‘The Family Home’. Courtney and Michael Adamo draw on more than twenty years of parenting experience and life as parents of five to reveal how to craft a happy, cosy, yet stylish household that evolves with a growing family. With breathtaking photography featuring homes of all scales and styles—from expansive Californian and Byron Bay estates to compact, inner‑city London flats—the authors offer practical and creative insights for designing a home that inspires imagination, fosters independence, and draws the whole family together. Whether it’s clever ways to corral the overflow of shoes at the door, display children’s artwork with meaning, share bedrooms, or make the most of small spaces, this book is packed with thoughtful, achievable ideas for family life. According to Courtney: “At its heart, The Family Home feels like two things to me. First, it’s an extension of our 20‑year parenting journey—one that reflects everything we’ve learned about creating a warm, joyful home. And second, it’s a generous bundle of inspiration, with mesmerizing photographs of more than 24 unique homes, each radiating creativity, care, and intention.”
BOOK AHEAD Wundr Live
With less than 100 days to Christmas, some of the best festive activities get filled up very quickly. This is one to book from now. Wundrful World of Christmas, makes its UK debut in Southwark, at Borough Yards just off Clink Street. Its an immersive mixed‑reality walk‑through experience unfolds from 7 November to 24 December 2025, offering families a 50‑minute theatrical journey to the North Pole. Designed for children aged 3–8 (and their adults), the experience weaves together live acting, animated projections, rosy storytelling and richly detailed sets. Visitors will embark on adventures including a ride in the “Wundr Lift,” wander through an enchanted snow‑dusted forest, try their hand in an elves’ toy‑sorting station, sample festive treats in Mrs Claus’s kitchen, and ultimately meet Santa himself in his cozy cottage—alongside a free family photo in the North Pole Post Office.
Any Questions or Tips to add?