From kids’ collectibles and messy art projects to gallery trips and mini breaks, the team has a fun-filled month ahead.
With Valentine’s-themed activities for the little ones and cosy movie mornings, February is all about love. Here’s what the team is excited to do with their children this month.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
VISIT I’m a forever fan of Four Seasons Anguilla, its the epitome of family-friendly with buckets of charm for the adults. The pools, the dining options, the Kids For All Seasons program (and morning yoga and paddle boarding for me). WEAR Igor do the best beach jelly shoes for kids, very cute and comfortable for them letting their feet breathe in hot weather too. USE Getting sunscreen on my kids is sometimes like wrestling a bear, or they insist on doing it themselves (which means it isn’t on their skin at all). Welcome, Supergoop! They have the easy to use sticks and the silky smooth SPF50 everyday lotion to put on and its a fun looking yellow bottle, so they can slather it on themselves with plenty of enthusiasm. READ We’ve stocked on new books and my son is loving The First Hippo on the Moon by David Walliams, and my daughter is enjoying Five-Minute Stories from Enid Blyton, bringing back precious memories from my childhood. DO I’m not a convert to body brushing for all its health benefits, particularly postpartum, helping to improve skin tone and discourage fluid retention. The Ayurvedic body brush by Healf feels luxurious to use made out of walnut wood and cactus fibre. FUN AT HOME We’re loving all sorts of painting at home, so we’ve bought this very cool (space-saving) 3 way easel with acrylic boards to clip papers on, with a small tray for the paints. Its portable to take to the park as well (should we be so adventurous).
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
VISIT This February half term, FRAMELESS has joined forces with Anna Llenas’ bestselling children’s book The Colour Monster in a first-ever immersive experience. The book was introduced to us by our son’s nursery and has been such a great picture book for exploring and trying to understand feelings – key for any parent trying to navigate the rollercoaster emotions of a toddler! PACK This Antler backback is super cute for adventures – and even just packing the everyday essentials needed for days out and about. The removable patches will definitely be a hit with my sticker-loving lad. PLAY A new softplay called Cupcake Kangaroo has just opened its doors fairly nearby. I’m yet to try it out, but a squeaky clean new softplay in aesthetically pleasing pastels, gets a thumbs up from me. STAY For a children-friendly spoiling staycation this half-term, the new cottages in The Village at Beaverbrook look so lovely with their joyous pops of colour and clever use of print across the interiors. The family suites have sweet bunk beds with little curtains across – an ideal setup for a family of four to enjoy time together with ample space, plus some of them are pet-friendly, too. BUY Wet-weather gear! After one of the wettest January’s on record and the rain seemingly set to never-end, I’m turning to Toastie Kids for the best waterproof outerwear. If you’re going skiing with little-ones, you should also check out their beyond-cute snowsuits.
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
VISIT V&A Young opens its Inside Ardman: Wallace and Gromit and Friends exhibition on 12 February, an immersive exploration into the British creator’s world. I love this museum; it’s a beautiful space, and the coffee shop is great, too. WATCH We recently took our toddler to see Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross – a 45-minute 360-degree screening that tells the story of dinosaurs using CGI sequences that our son was spell-bound by. They fly, eat, swim and march around the audience to an amazing score by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer. An excellent rainy day activity, and there’s plenty of lunch options at the nearby undercover Canopy Market. BUY Buzzy trainer brand Hoff has just launched two of its most popular styles in kiddie sizes. I love the colours, especially the sage which I’ve earmarked for Lenny. PLAY A new, community-led play space called Roam is now open in Vauxhall for children up to eight. There’s a baby zone, a tonne of toys and role play activities too, plus a cafe for the adults and it looks really affordable (£4.50 for a 90-minute session).
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SELF CARE These early months of the year are, for me, about cocooning and self-care. Dr David Jack has the Mindful Facial, which is a 45-minute treatment that blends advanced clinical skincare with guided hypnotherapy to promote long-term skin health and inner balance. I trialled it at the City clinic and it was transformative to my grey winter skin. WATCH I could not be more excited to see Wuthering Heights on the big screen: its one of my favourite Jane Austen novels. I bought myself an Everyman membership last year and it’s been so useful: you get free tickets and can take a friend for free on Mondays. The seats are extraordinarily comfy and they bring you wine to your seat. I basically live there now. SEE Half term is coming up, so I’ve booked Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels at the Southbank for my five-year-old, which she will love – as will I; the nostalgia of Blake’s drawings hits me hard. From there, we’ll take a walk along to the Hayward Gallery and stop into the new double headline exhibition (which opens on February 17) Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life and Yin Xiuzhen: Heart to Heart. Shiota’s signature weblike works will captivate her. EAT I have booked into the very beautiful looking LUNA Omakase for an “immersive” dinner with my husband. Omakase means “Leave it up to you” and I know that with executive chef Leonard Tanyag I’ll be in great hands. I’m going for the early bird 6pm service – something I read is increasingly a trend. BUY It’s still so cold, which I’m grateful for because it means I can whip out my newly bought wool and cashmere Le Kilt x Johnstons of Elgin long kilt. I’ve actually been up to the mill in Elgin, Scotland, and watched the incredible centuries-old looms clack away, and so it feels extra special. I’m also loving my Rachel Bakewell x Queens of Archive fluffy hat. It makes me feel glamorous. Yes, it’s ever so slightly ridiculous, but aren’t the best pieces in your wardrobe those ones that you have to have a twinkle in your eye to pull on?
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Lucy Scovell, Citizen Enfants Contributor
TRAVEL We’re heading to Dubai this month for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. We’re staying at the JA Palm Tree Court, a family-friendly beachfront hotel a little way out of the city that offers tons of activities for guests of all ages. My toddler is a real water baby so I can’t wait to introduce her to the sea. GO The Southbank’s recycled playground is back by popular demand. Hurrah! Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space filled with things you can move, change, combine and wear. Everything is made from waste materials and designed to ignite little imaginations. It’s a fabulous way of keeping the kids entertained on a freezing, rainy afternoon. GIFT The Chinese new year begins on 17 February, and after the Year of the Snake we welcome the Horse, a symbol of power, energy, freedom and momentum. In celebration, I’d like to treat myself to this red chord Dior bracelet with gold horseshoe charm inset with crystals. TRY There’s been a lot of hype around the new Claridge’s bakery, and for good reason. The menu of beloved British classics including Jammy Dodger Tarts, Iced Buns and Walnut Whips comes courtesy of acclaimed chef and baker Richard Hart. The savoury snacks look equally delicious. I’m particularly looking forward to trying one of their lunchtime takeaway options – quiches, hot sandwiches and sausage rolls. BOOK I’m booking tickets to the new Chiharu Shiota exhibition at the Hayward Gallery for me and my two tots. Her first UK exhibition in a public gallery will feature a series of her new and reimagined floor-to-ceiling weblike works that explore themes of identity, loss, belonging and memory. Her immersive installations are visually impressive and will no doubt captivate the kids. BUY I’m not a massive fan of Valentine’s Day but I do love reading. And so I’ll be marking the occasion by getting each of my children a new book. I’m torn between Sam McBratney’s gorgeous classic, Guess How Much I Love You, and I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth.
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Freya Costella, Citizen Enfants Contributor
BUY I’ve just had my first baby (now three months old) and one thing I genuinely reach for every day is the Isla & Fraser knitted cotton rompers. They’re warm without feeling bulky, made from 100% organic cotton, and wash brilliantly — an underrated joy when everything feels like laundry these days. They’ve become a little winter staple for us. I’m also barely without my Artipoppe carrier. It’s easy to put on, feels really comfortable even on long walks, and somehow manages to be both practical and stylish. We took it with us on a family ski trip to Switzerland recently and used it constantly; paired with a soft sheep-fur liner, it kept my baby cosy even in the cold. EAT For mums on maternity leave who want a relaxed mid-week lunch, The Bull & Last in North London has become a favourite. Their set lunch menu during the week is excellent – seasonal, generous and affordable – and the space feels calm and roomy enough to linger over two courses (or three) with friends. Plus, plenty of room for prams! Another great stop is Ginger & White in Hampstead. It has that lovely neighbourhood café feel, with cosy corners and soft bench seating where you can comfortably breastfeed or let a baby lie down nearby while you enjoy a coffee. It’s become one of my go-to mornings out when we need a bit of warmth and good food. MOVE I’m slowly getting back into movement post-partum, and The Movement Studio has been such a find. They have mum-and-baby Pilates and yoga classes in bright, calm studios in Highbury and Tufnell Park. The babies lie on little play mats in front of you and the pace is gentle and strengthening, exactly what feels right at this stage. Afterwards there’s complimentary tea and biscuits, which is such a simple but lovely way to sit and catch up with other mums. At home, I’ve also started using the Pilates by Bryony app — doing the Transform 6 challenge when I can. It’s low-impact, feels great on my body and has a dedicated post-natal class list, so it’s easy to choose gentle strengthening options that feel supportive during recovery. BOOK For something indoors in rainy February, Mini Mozart is a real treat. These live music sessions for babies and toddlers are calm and playful, with real instruments and interactive moments that little ones really respond to — it’s lovely to watch them absorb the sounds and rhythms. Another brilliant rainy-day plan is baby-friendly screenings at Everyman Baby Club. Designed especially for parents and babies, Baby Club offers morning screenings of new releases with the volume turned down and soft lighting throughout to keep little ones comfortable. A hot drink and a slice of cake or a small popcorn is included and the atmosphere is relaxed, with feeding, cuddles and movement all expected. I recently saw The Housemaid, which was gripping and exactly the kind of grown-up escape I didn’t realise I needed!
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Claire Brayford
BUY I feel like February is a month for nesting so I will be treating myself and my two girls to Stripe & Stare matching striped pyjamas, as they are super-soft and sustainable. We can curl up and watch the new BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies which is out this month. WATCH John Proctor is the Villian, the Broadway take of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible which won countless Tony awards, is opening at the Royal Court Theatre next month and I for one cannot wait to see it. SEE I like to take in as much art as I can with the girls so we will head to the Rose Wylie exhibition coming to the Royal Academy at the end of February. The children’s gallery is always fun afterwards and maybe we will head across the road to The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason to try the Charlie Mackesy Mole Cake. READ The Folio Society has the most beautiful children’s editions of classics like Pippi Longstocking and Enid Blyton’s treasures, I would love to start a collection for the girls. I am also looking forward to reading My Heart Is This: Tracey Emin on Painting, out this month where she reflects on her work, her approach and why it matters. TREAT We are obsessed with the affogato and hot chocolate at Badiani. I can confidently say it is the best in London.
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