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Summer holiday officially starts on July 23, the last day of school for Camden pupils. Many centres, playgroups and activities
either end on this date or go on to a different schedule -- make sure you know the new hours before setting off. Surestart
has lots of playgroups open during the summer but not in NW3 so contact them for venues in NW6 and NW5.
In the last two weeks of August, most things come to a grinding halt. You might want to plan for it and save certain
activities for this rather dull period.
In this section, I've included drop-off schemes, drop- in schemes, staying cool if the weather ever turns warm again,
and one-off actitivies. Please let me know what I've missed and what I've gotten wrong.
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Drop off -- Part or full-day, various activities
2-5 year-olds:
Puss in Boots Summer Camp (Gospel Oak Methodist Church, corner of Lisburne Rd. and Agincourt Rd.): The
very popular private nursery will be open for two weeks starting July 28 for 2-5 year-olds. Games, music,
dancing, songs and lots of play. My children went for a couple of summers and enjoyed it a lot. Call Amelia on 0207 2672181.
C11 and 46 bus stop right in front.
Sunshine Play Group 37a Broadhurst Gardens, NW6 3QT: Not far from O2 center on the Finchley
Rd. (C11 bus stop 2 minutes away.) July 14-25, afternoon and morning sessions with lots of stories, art and cooking. For
3-5 year olds. Contact
Agnieszka at info@sunshineplaygroup.com or 0207 7328 0713
5 year-olds and up:
Three Acres Community Play Project: 29-31 Parkhill Rd. Nw3 2YH 0207 722 0331/3812. Open 8-6 pm for 5-12
year-olds from July 30 until the end of August. Run by Camden staff, so very good value. On-site football pitch,
tennis court, large hall, art room. Big, open space and friendly staff. Not far from 168 and C11 bus.
Hampstead Community Centre 78 High Street, Nw3 1RE 0207 794 8313. Camden-ru nfor 5 to 12 year-olds.
Close to Tube 46 and, 268 bus go past.
Drop-off -- mainly sports
Globe Tennis Club: 190 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL (next door to
Belsize Park Tube Station.)
www.londontennisacademy.com Gaddo Guidotti on 07837 720736 or
gaddo9@hotmail.com. Has 45 minute sessions for under 5s everyday and 4 hour sessions for 5s and over.
Gymnastics at Talacre Drop-in sessions for 5-7 year-olds: Saturdays from
12-1 on July 26, Aug. 2, 9 and 16.
Gymnastics at the Armory: (Armoury Gym, Pond Street) Summer gymnastics
for 3+ on Mondays and Thursdays Aug.4 - Aug. 25 at 10:30-11:30. Have to show up, book and pay (£10 per session or £52 for
entire 4-week course.
Sports Galore. www.sportsgalore.co.uk 01285 656098. From age 4ish
-- all day. Particularly good if you have a child who never tires, and for working parents, as they will do early monring
starts. Lots of sports (of course) with drama and arts and crafts. At Sarum Hall School on Eton Avenue and The Hall School,
just down the road. Near Swiss Cottage Tube, not terribly far from C11.
Hwarang Academy Taekwondo Summer Camp:
halfday and full day 4th-29th August, book as many as you wish. Novice, intermediate and Advanced for 5 year-olds and up. www.taekwondo-london-2012.com. 0208 386 0547 or 07941 081 009 at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre.
League One Summer Holiday Football/Sports Courses: (0208 446 0891 or
www.leagueone.co.uk) Held at South Hampstead High School at Maresfield Gardens, NW3. Little League 1 (3 and 4 year-olds) from 10am to 1 pm. League
One (5-6 year-olds) from 10am to 3. Programs run from July 14 - August 8.
Drop-off --Mainly Dance and Drama
Centre Stage School www.centrestageschool.co.uk. This year's performance is going to be "Jungle Magic" Age:
4-14 years. July 28th to August 1
and August 4 to August 8. Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Hall School (23 Crossfield Ave.) Booking: Vicki Wolf, 020 7328
0788
Creative Movements:www.creativemovements.co.uk. Dance, drama and art work for little ones and big ones. Three-day workshops, different themes depending on age. Location: Quaker
Meeting House, 120 Heath Street Hampstead, NW3 1R Bookings: 020 7435 8217
Dramarama, Dramatots: (
www.dramarama.co.uk) 0208 4460891. Holiday and half-term drama courses for 3-4 year-olds 10 am-1 pm (pack a lunch), held at South Hampstead High
School. Mainly girls but my son enjoyed it too.
Lemon Jelly: My son loved the 3-day program, which included prop-making,
dancing and singing and a live performance. Full day, great value.
From age 4. Will be held at the Rosary
school on 28th,29th and 30th of July from 9.30-3.20pm. ( arrival from 9am onwards) 55 pounds for the 3 days and 50 pounds
for siblings. Call Hayley on 0774 0352037.
Mystical Fairies – Fairy
Summer Camp
www.mysticalfairies.co.uk. A week of activities and performing, all with a fairy theme, led by professional entertainers. Age: 3 and 4 year-olds and
5-7 year olds. Dates TBA.
Location: Flask Walk, Hampstead
Booking: 020 7431 1888
Perform www.perform.org.uk Lots of activities and venues for under 5s too many to list here. Best look at the website to find
something that suits age and location.
Drop off -- mainly art
Crafty Kids: (Debbie@dbourne.wanadoo.co.uk or 0207 483 1550 OR 07910 124359) Three-hour art workshops for ages 2-7 run
by Ofsted-approved childcare provider. Debbie plans to build rockets and paint with toothbrushes, make glove monsters and
pasta jewelry. Runs throughout the summer so call for availablity. Very close to c11 bus stop. Very homey -- my
children enjoyed it.
Creativewizkids: (www.creativewizkids.com) St Lukes Church Kidderpore Ave. NW3. Drop-off holiday club, focusing on painting and music for 3 to 7
year-olds. August 4-8.
Hampstead School of Art: (
www.art-school-hampstead.co.uk) 19-21 Kidderpore Avenue London NW3 7ST 0207 794 1439) Has various pottery and painting workshops from July 21 to August
14 10- 3pm for children 5 to 12.
Playgroups: Drop in
One O'Clock Club: (In the Heath just down from the playground. Opens 10-12 and 1-3:45 weekdays. One
of the only playgroups that stays open year-round. Indoor-outdoor toys, sandpit, painting, crafts and singing. The
train track opposite the centre provides endless entertainment. For £1, it's a bargain.
Activities together with your child
Hampstead Heath: The Heath hosts magicians and other entertainers thoughout the summer in
the bandstand by the cafe as well as in Golders Green. Pick up a "Heath Diary" at the playground or ring 0207 482 7073 for
more information
- July 24 "Magic fun with Richard. Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- July 25 Teddy Bears' Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
- July 29 Franco the Magician Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- July 30 Anna Banana;Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- July 31 The Magic Man and Balloonatic Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand
3pm
- Aug. 1 Teddy Bears' Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
- Aug. 5 Jonny Slap Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug.6 Egbert the Explorer Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 7 Super Safari Day Golders Hill Park
- Aug. 7 Tony de la Fou Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandtand 3pm
- Aug. 8 Teddy Bears' Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
- Aug. 12 Professor Crump Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 13 Poz Magic Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandtand 3pm
- Aug. 14 uper Safari Day Golders Hill Park
- Aug. 14 Mr Tickle Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandtand 3pm
- Aug. 15 Teddy Bears' Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
- Aug. 20 The Absent Minded Magician Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 21 Super Safari Day Golders Hill Park
- Aug. 21 Foxy the Funky Genie Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 22 Teddy Bears Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
- Aug. 26 Topper the Clown Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 27 Magicked Michael Parliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 28 Clown JennyParliament Hill Bandstand 12 pm; Golders Hill Park Bandstand 3pm
- Aug. 29 Teddy Bears' Picnic Preachers Hill play area (0207332 3820)
London Zoo: Regent's Park
www.zsl.org. Bouncy castle and slide every day of summer holidays. Has indoor attractions in case it rains and sometimes has special
workshops.
Talacre Sports Centre: Babygym parent and toddler sessions
(see Drop-off Sports for 5-7 year-old sessions)
July 26: 10:30-11:30
July 27: 10-10:45, 11-11:45
July 29, 30 and 31: 9:15-10
Aug. 2: 10:30-11:30
Aug. 3: 10-10:45, 11-11:45
Aug. 5, 6, 7: 9:15-10
Aug. 9: 10:30-11:30
Aug. 10: 10-10:45, 11-11:45
Aug. 12, 13, 14: 9:15-10
Aug. 16: 10:30-11:30
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre TBA
Children's Drop-in Yoga is supposed
to continue throughout the summer. Friday 11-1.45am for 2-4 year-olds and 4:15-5 for 4-7 year-olds.
Teddy Bear Picnics: Surestart will be holding Teddy Bear Picnics
around Camden, including Talacre and Swiss Cottage Centre. Contact Sure Start for more information
Staying Cool in and around NW3
Archway Pool: (
www.aquaterra.org 0207 281 4105) Both the Underground and the C11 stop right in front of this wave pool with bubbles and slides.
Water can be very cold and changing rooms are a fright but children love it.
Marriott Hotel : (0207 722 7711) Both adults and
children need to take out a membership to use the pool but sometimes a tenner per person (£5 per child) will do it. C11, 46
not far.
Paddling
Pool and Lido: The paddling pool next to the playground in Parliament Hill (in the Heath) is a God-send on hot
summer days and the new shady areas are a welcome addition. It's about 2 feet at its deepest and slopes down gradually.
Do not assume you will be alone. The outdoor pool (Lido) is near the running track.
Somerset House (
www.somersethouse.org.uk): While no where near NW3, the fountains at Somerset house are special enough to be worth a mention, particularly as
the 168 bus drops you right in front of the building before turning left on to Waterloo Bridge. There are about
fifty small fountains flowing up from the ground that children love to catch or jump through. Bring a bucket or small container.
Be aware that the water is cold and there is no shade if babies are involved in the trip. Call before making the trip as
you just never know!
Swiss Cottage Pool (Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Adelaide
Road, 0207 974 2012. Always call before heading out because the teaching pool is quite often closed and the main
pool is probably too cold for little ones.
Swiss Cottage Fountains: (Behind the Leisure Centre) Water jets and sloping
cement fountain provide some relief from summer heat. Call the parks and open spaces (Camden) department if
you want to make absolutely sure its open: 0207 974 1693.
