Joanne McCartney AM, Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare talks about summer family activities in London.
This summer, we’re encouraging Londoners to get out and about with the Mayor’s new London Curriculum Family Explorer Trails. They’re a great way for families to find out more about our wonderful city, and have fun too!
On Saturday 5 August, I was invited to the National Theatre on the vibrant south bank to join an exciting event for families as part of the trails.
As well as opening its doors to families, the theatre had organised two special workshops.
In the Clore Learning Centre, tables were adorned with every craft material you could imagine - from feathers to brightly coloured pom-poms!
Children (and adults) quickly got stuck into the very serious business of making the most colourful mask or headdress they could! Some wonderful creations were paraded through the theatre as people later made their way home….
Children could also create their own stories at a special animation workshop with the British Film Institute. Budding animators got to find out how it’s done and see their creations come alive on YouTube.
National Theatre and BFI staff led the workshops, ably supported by our Peer Outreach Team. They did an amazing job of battling the winds along the river to hand out balloons to children and attract them into the workshops.
I also saw the Sherling Backstage Walkway where I got a sneak peek at set construction and assembly, scenic painting and prop-making.
Huge thanks to the National Theatre for having us and to them and BFI for putting on such wonderful workshops.
We’ve got one more event coming up at the Science Museum on 18 August from 11am. There we’ll find out how maths affects our everyday lives by playing the Science Museum's exciting new board game, Numberjump. If you want to have a go at making your own game and competing against your family and friends, come on down!
We hope to see you at an event very soon. Have fun exploring this wonderful city and celebrating that London is open for summer!
Don’t forget to share your photos from the trails and events using #LondonIsOpen. You could even win a prize! We’d also like to hear what you think of the trails.
Send your pics and thoughts by 30 September 2017.