Toddlers?

If you are ever stuck with what to do with your toddlers in the colder winter months – then here are a few warm indoor ideas you may want to consider:




The first is a trip to the fantastic Museum of Childhood. It’s very easy to get to by foot or by bus.

By foot – you simply go through Viccie Park – and go out of the Approach Road gate – go down approach Road and then right into Old Ford Road. At the top where it intersects with Cambridge Heath Road you’ll see this magnificent building on your left – that’s it!

By bus – just get the number 26 or 388 from St Mary’s Church – and after 10 mins - get off at the Museum.

This great building is absolutely brilliant for kids & adults alike. There are displays of what kids played with ages ago – and then there are indoor sandpits, oversized games, costumes for dressing up in, loads of floor space to run around in & even a café if you want to have a tea break.

Check the website out (below) for soft-play times, craft sessions, and talks:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/index.html





Then there are two indoor play centres about 20 mins travel from Leabank Square.

The first is Zoomaround in Stoke Newington. Simply take the train westbound from Hackney Wick & get off at Cannonbury stop (5 stops away) and it’s 10 minutes walk down through very posh houses.

This indoor play centre is brilliant for your toddlers - & will keep them moving & entertained for hours while you sit back and have lunch in the café. There are kids portions of the excellent food as well – so they won’t get hungy.

In summer the courtyard is opend as well – and there are a few rabbit hutches & a sand pit too.

For directions on how to get there – please visit:
http://www.zoomaround.co.uk/






A bit closer to Leabank Square is Kidzmania. It’s in Clapton E5 – so you need to catch the number --- bus from just outside the square – and get off at Lea Bridge Road - & it’s a minute’s walk from there (check out the directions at their website below).

This is also a fantastic indoor play centre – with three different slides all ending in the ball pool. It has a separate section for babies where the older kids can’t accidentally bump them while going mad & working off steam.

The café is brilliant as you can keep an eye on your kids while have a cuppa & sarnie.

For directions on how to get there – please visit:
http://www.ideasforthekids.co.uk/attraction.aspx?attid=b9384c78-5bf5-4d1b-ae28-c34204dd31ec





Then just one stop away from Hackney Wick – in Stratford is the incredible Discovery Centre. When you get out at Stratford Station – simply follow the signs to the Discovery Centre.

It is a fantastic place to stimulate a young child’s imagination with incredible staff telling stories & making crafty things with you & your kids. There are different rooms filled with touch-screen displays, mood lighting, exciting noises & even indoor dens.

It has a fantastic garden with lovely playground for those not too cold days.

Please check out:
http://www.futurestratford.com/people_detail.php?peopleID=9






Another great place to take your toddlers in winter is the library in Stratford. Just hop on the east-bound train here in Hackney Wick one stop to Stratford – and walk through the shopping centre & follow the signs to Stratford Library.

It has a massive separate children’s room – with loads of floor space to run around in. There are soft play areas, story telling sessions, craft trays, and of course millions of books for all ages.

There is also a café attached to the library – but you have to go through the adult section to reach it.

Check out:
http://www.newham.gov.uk/Services/LibrariesInNewham/AboutUs/StratfordLibrary.htm for more details.



Well – as you can see – there is plenty to do during the colder winter months – for you & your toddlers. Before you go – why not knock on your neighbour’s door to see if they would not maybe like to go with you too.