Mini Manchester

Tiny Catastrophies

2009-10-06T02:04:00.000-07:00

So my son is FIVE now and I'm a bit out of touch with what's going on in the world of the tinies. I went to see my friend Emma for her birthday this week and I realised just how much. She told me, in no uncertain terms, that she has been breastfeeding for TWO YEARS. She is very tired, and she has one child who is two and one who is six months.

She said to me that she thought that I'd somehow got it right what with working freelance, and living on my own and having only one child. Unfortunately, when it comes to being an adult, and having children, I don't think there is a right. I think there is an okay - this for me is when i am doing my work in the day, and not making my poor son entertain himself while I try to meet a deadline as he's having his breakfast.

Emma's talk about 'getting it right' made me think of Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook which I've been reading for the last month. The book's protagonist, Anna, has a lot to say about being a unmarried women raising a child. Despite being written in 1962, elements of it are a remarkably accurate portrayal of the way things are, and the way they feel for me at least, as someone with out a husband guiding my fate, or what have you.

Using the device of several different 'notebooks' which interweave to form the novel, Lessing looks at life from different angles. For me, one of the most interesting of these is the diary which charts her political life and her wrangling, in a hugely authentic way, with party politics and the constraints and limitations of being part of an organisation.

This part of it feels connected to my life too, as although I'm not joining a political party, I've just returned to the huge organisation that it The University Of Manchester to study for an MA, part time.

To be honest, having had a somewhat idealised vision of what this experience would be like, the reality is quite a shock. I'm not exactly conversant with either detailed research, or academic writing and the main thrust of the course involves trying to come up with an angle to look at an issue or practitioner (relating to, in my case, contemporary art / performance) and then write about it from that angle and hopefully, come to some academia-shaking conclusion as a result.

Like many people who dream of escaping real life in university, I had thought that it would be a breeze. That hours and hours in the library, in the company of Immanuel Kant or Jacque Derrida, Jacques Lacan, or any number of these other writers upon whom all the academics seem to base their work on, would be like, fun, and that I could just think about stuff I liked and that would be enough.

Of course, back in the real world, its not quite like that. You don't get funding for doodling about doing something that you just like. Studies need a purpose, and need to contribute to the wider body of knowledge out there in good way. YEP. Unfortunately, I'm just not quite sure what i can bring to the table.

In the meantime, here is an interesting quote I found, which sums up domestic (and of course academic) life rather succinctly... Its written by the German editor, cultural critic, and writer, Siegfried Kracauer;

'One must rid one's self of the delusion that it is the major events which have the most decisive influence on people.' he says. 'They are much more deeply and continuously influenced by the tiny catastrophies which make up daily life.'

Manchester Family Friendly Film Festival

2009-08-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

I've just received an email telling me that The Manchester Family Friendly Film Festival will be taking place across the city this August.

There will be a selection of films showing at venues across the city, such as Victoria Baths, Urbis and Cornerhouse, which have been made over the last 50 years. Unfortunately, as my son hates all films, we will not be attending. I managed to scar him for life, I think, by taking him to see Ratatouille, aged 3, followed by that one with Eva the robot in it. We had to leave both screenings after less than 10 minutes.

Anyhow, for those who can attend, this years festival looks set to be a winner, with several day-long special events including...

Magic and Monsters Day
A day of storytelling, magic shows, monster-related craft activities and screenings of Wizard of Oz and The Dark Crystal. There will also be a live 50min magic show with Magic Philip (who has apparently.... entertained Brooklyn Beckham), facepainting AND a filmmaking workshop.
11 Aug, 10-5pm, The Dancehouse, £5, ages 6+

Dance Day
Enjoy screenings of High School Musical (U) and Swedish musical Kidz in Da Hood (PG), and sign up for one of the following workshops; Break Dancing, Ballet, Street Dancing. Kids can learn routines from High School Musical and the day finishes with a performance.
13 Aug, 10am-4pm at The Dancehouse Theatre, Tickets £5, Ages 8 +

ET in Spinningfields
Twilight showing of spooky extraterrestrial drama, or, as I was taught in film school, a take on the Jesus story. Yes... he even ascends to heaven at the end.
16 Aug, 8-10pm, Spinningfields, free

Click here to book tickets and see the full programme.

Videogame Nation at Urbis and Play Out! at Salford Museum

2009-07-15T05:59:00.001-07:00

Get this: a new exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery about playing out, which takes the form of the least fun flyer EVER. I mean, who'd have thought of employing grey and smog as colours to advertise your new show - which (surely?) is designed to appeal to families at a loose end during the summer holidays?

Wouldn't you rather go to this?

Yes, this image is advertising Videogame Nation at Urbis.

Videogame Nation looks like the craic, doesn't it? Play out! on the other hand, looks about as much fun as swine flu.

Young Arthur liked it a lot when we went. He's been twice now and managed to play on pretty much everything, when the big kids to let him have a go, that is.

Weirdly, it's not got any of the games that I had for my Spectrum ZX+ when i was a kid; stuff like Henry's Hoard and Horace Goes Skiing and Chuckie Egg, but it's got loads of Amstrad stuff, and early detective games. Recommended for a rainy day.

I'll review Play Out! shortly. In the meantime, here is what the website says about the new show.

'This summer, Salford Museum is transforming one of their galleries into a play street. Come and play out all day in the street without cars, and in the back yards and alleyways. Play street games, with balls, bikes and round the lamposts - and find out more about Salford's very own special play streets!'

Reading this, I deduce that it's an exhibition about what is outside your house - the street - only sanitised, and de-weathered.

'Playing out' is something I've been coming to terms with lately. My son, Arthur, has just learnt to ride a bike, and so he can whizz up and down the street on his own. He cycles off to certain points that I let him reach, and then turns around and cycles back.

This usually goes on when I am inside, cooking, cleaning or doing someting that could be regarded as entirely pointless if he was hit by a car. It's impossible to watch your children all the time, but it's impossible not to worry, isn't it? In fact, I'm beginning to see the logic behind Salford Museum's new show...

New kids party venue arrives in Chorlton

2009-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the delay on posting here... I've been working full time bleurgh... anyhow, I've also written this feature on Partytime UK a new party shop, and all around kids party venue, just next to Marble Beer House in Chorlton. Click here to read online, or see below.

Partytime UK

Ruth Allan checks out a new Chorlton kids shop and cafe

Where is it?

Partytime UK
53-55 Manchester Road
Chorlton

Tel: 0161 881 2525
Open: Mon to Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-5.30pm

History

With a name that sounds like an adult chat line, I wasn’t sure what to expect when Confidential's editor asked me to pop down and review a new shop called Partytime UK in Chorlton. I’d noticed its large silver lettering as I’d driven down past Chorlton Baths several times though, so it was good to have a reason to check it out.

As it turns out, the new venture is not a saucy hotline. Instead, it’s a spacious shop which will sell party stuff when it’s properly open and, just next door, the Mad Hatter’s Café and kids party venue is part of the same business too.

Angela Amponsah is Partytime’s owner, and over a coffee on the café’s terrace, she explained that she was ending a family-raising career break to get back into the party business.

"Not many places do good stuff for kids," she told me, "and my background is in parties – balloons, weddings, planning, organising, you name it. I’m a bit of an expert, and I wanted to get stuck in again."

What does it sell?

The shop was not quite ready to open to the public, but Angela gave me a tour of the goodies that you are going to be able to buy when it launches proper – which should be some time in the next month or so.

As you’ll see from the pictures, the stock is largely professional, party-type stuff: teddy bears, happy birthday candles, wedding favours, and mildly humorous glasses that say rude words on them.

Angela promised that she was going to get more kid-friendly gear in too, along the lines of Mario Brothers and Angelina Ballerina plates, banners and balloons. I got quite excited when I heard this, as I’ve scoured the city for Mario kit to make my young man’s birthday, and have come home empty-handed.

It’s early days, and the café is still a bit of a work in progress too. When running properly, it’ll offer smoothies, coffee, cakes, salads and soups. Some of this is available at the moment, such as the soup, which is, according to Angela, “made by a chef who used to work at Piccolinos", and changes daily. I didn’t try it, although I did try an Americano coffee (humorously weak) and a carrot cake (seriously good).

Why go there?

Hosting a kids party at home is a bit like opening a can of hot Coke in your lounge; there is no predicting where the sticky stuff will land. To avoid cleaning bills, it may be worth booking your next one at Mad Hatters Café.

Parties are available from 5.30pm Mon to Sat, and all day on Sundays. You just have to fork out a minimum of £5.99 per child which covers “healthy food and a cake" according to Angela.

I thought it would be a pleasant place to have a party; decked out in bright, bold colours, Mad Hatters looks like a big, pink cake, an impression which is heightened by the pictures of big, pink cakes on the walls and counters.

The floor space is broken up into a sofa seating area, an outside terrace section and a little boothy bit at the back. With its kid-friendly menu and attitude, it reminded me a little of the café in nearby children’s play centre, Head Over Heels.

Not somewhere to nurse a hangover, perhaps, but a good lunch option if you’re in the north Chorlton vicinity with the family. And, when it’s finally open, the shop looks set to be a good bet for anything party-related too.

Verdict

A niche venture, showing promise.

Fun extras such as a smoothie cocktail bar, karaoke, clowns, party activity leaders, and anything else that you think will stop them from pulling each other’s hair out are available at extra cost.

Dance To Wayne Hemmingway's Disco

2009-05-25T13:52:00.002-07:00

Liverpool Tate has something special going on right now.

It's a new sculpture show over two floors, and while the content may be a little unhinged / random (Dan Flavin, Gilbert & George, Picasso, Carl Andre, Antony Gormley... you name em, they're here) there is an excellent experience for all the family in the section called 'Sculpture... remixed'.

Yup, i know it sounds like a painful effort on the gallery's behalf to get with the kids, but it actually works - and it actually works something like this:

1. Arrive at free show & head up to 'sculpture remixed'
2. Apply wireless headphones, which are playing some excellent disco (n.b. apply your own headphones first, before applying to other family members)
3. Make your way through a black felt curtain into a room of sculptures, dominated by a massive 70s underlit and flashing disco floor in the centre.
4. Read sign on said floor which says 'Dance Here'
5. Do it.

It's totally amazing, dancing in an art gallery. I was smiling like mad and so was Arthur. It was like going through Alice's tiny door into the wonderland. AND IT WAS FREE. Plus, the staff at Tate are saints - that, or extremely bored. I mean, members of the gallery team where chasing us around, desperate to explains everything to Arthur.

One guy even spent 15 minutes showing him how Antony Gormley makes his body-works, a process which involved him lying on the floor, mouthing at his fist to express the agony of the long-held posture.

I've never had a better experience in a gallery - and not just because this poor guy was rolling on the floor for our entertainment - although that was obviously pretty cool - it was just a brilliant experience.

Fortunately, its on until April 11 2010, so there's no rush.

Paper plane flying: not a waste of time

2009-05-19T00:31:00.000-07:00

This week a Japanese man has broken the world record for paper plane flying. His latest paper plane flew for nearly 30 seconds. Check out the story here. It's proof that having a hobby isn't a waste of time, after all this guy has made a career out of it, and he's got funding to the tune of over half a million to send out paper planes from space. What a wizard!

Holiday Accomodation

2009-04-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Right. If, like me, you have about 10p with which to go on holiday, where you stay is a really big issue. Hotels are well expensive, camping is okay, but it's darn chilly at Easter still, and bed and breakfasts are a right mixed bag.

Here are a few things I learned on this past two week break.

a. If you want to go camping, remember the poles.

Yes, we tipped up on Easter Saturday night at this lovely campsite called Side Farm, which is in the Independent's top fifty campsites of all time. It was full, so we drove on, and found another one near by, whose name escapes me, but which resembled a place where cars go to die. They were parked everywhere, as if abandoned. It looked like the scene at the start of M Night Shyamalan (who, incidentally, wrote the Sixth Sense!)'s The Happening, only with tents.

Having found a place to abandon the Passat, we started putting up the tent, only to discover that the poles were not within. This was really disappointing to everyone, and we ended up huddled not around a camp fire, but around a Ginsters pastie, and sleeping at the Premier Travel Inn at Junction 44 of the M6. It wasn't a good start to the trip.

b. If you want to stay in a hotel, book in advance.

The Radisson hotel in Glasgow is five stars, and it's lovely. It's got these amazing lifts, which you can look out all around, and over to Glasgow Central Station from. It's pretty good, and it's under £70 a night, including breakfast, I think, if you book it as one of the 'mystery hotels' on lastminute.com. The same applies to Manchester I'm told. Apparently, you often get the Radisson as the 'secret hotel'.

c. Not all B&Bs are the same.

Ohhh no. We stayed in two; this one just outside Oban, and an almost completely unmarked one in Tobermory (pictured). The first cost £171, somehow, and the second cost £30. Despite the fact that the towels smelt vaguely of fannies, I would head straight back to the Tobermory one in a flash; the old owners left their door open for anyone to walk in, and had these cute, woodlined loft rooms - ours had an amazing view over Tobermory harbour (incidentally, Tobermory is where they filmed the forementioned BBC series, Balamory. It can't do wrong, in my book) - and it was very good value.

The Oban one was clean, with good views, but it was located in, what I suspect is a barely converted 80s-style old folks home, and it was extremely expensive for what you got. Dinner, for example, was £20 a head, for what amounted to some soup, and a very average chicken casserole and some overcooked vegetables, while the room was £85, which was more than the five star Radisson in Glasgow.

Scotland, ahoy!

2009-04-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

Oh aye, Arthur and I are in Scotland this week, visiting my relatives. We are staying in Glasgow and the highlight of the day has to be seeing two items from Balamory; Edie McCredie's van, and Spencer's tricycle at the Museum Of Transport.

Number two on our list of joy was the Tenement House museum. This is basically a flat, preserved, as it would've been in the 1950s when my mum was growing up in one.

It kind of made me appreciate why she is so into kitchen applicances and mod cons, while I'm there, pretending to keep it real with my hand whisk.

They had an Easter egg hunt around the house, there was loads of stuff you could kind of touch (although i don't think you were strictly supposed to) like an old straw mattress, and beds in all the cupboards off the main rooms as well as an amazing old fashioned bathroom.

We discovered that in the old days, they really crammed people in. My mum and her mum and her dad apparently lived behind a curtain in one of these city central flats with some wealthier people. I never could quite imagine how their living arrangement worked, but now I have a much better idea: it was cramped, and that's about all you can say about it.

It's the Easter holidays...

2009-04-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Why not make some blueberry pancakes? I've spent absolutely ages wanting a recipe for fluffy Amercian-style pancakes, and I finally found this one, which is remarkably similar (in method at least) to my Mum's 'drop scone' recipe.

She's Scottish and she used to make these bad boys in an electric frying pan when we lived in Papua New Guinea as youngsters. They tasted of somewhere else entirely, somewhere where they had fireplaces, snow, sweaters and cream. Mmmm.

Anyhow, making blueberry pancakes from the above recipe is simple - just throw in a few blueberries. It works well with bananas too, and we often have these for breakfast with orange juice, greek yoghurt and honey.

Where The Wild Things Are

2009-03-31T03:03:00.000-07:00

OOoooh the forthcoming film, Where The Wild Things Are looks so awesome. Even the trailer has loads of bits in in that I remember from the book, like the scene at sea, and the scene where all the animals are waving goodbye to Max. It actually made me cry watching it, PLUS its by Spike Jonze, who is quite an amazing character. He used to go out with Sofia Coppola, and the film Lost In Translation is allegedly based on him, and her boring experiences following him around the world.

Anyhow, bad boyfriend or not, Spike is a good film egg, and he's made other good stuff too, such as - get this - the FIRST and ORIGINAL video for The Breeders' song, Cannonball (1993) and, of course, Being John Malkovich, which made John Malkovich cool again, and, I strongly suspect, made John Malcovich pretty darn rich judging by the amount of films he's been in since. Plus he has the coolest name, ever (even if his real name is Adam Spiegel), plus what a DON making this book into a film!

Best places to go out with your family for Mother’s Day (with clothes on, unlike this cheeky dame!)

2009-03-19T04:09:00.000-07:00

1. Country restaurant

Alright so it’s not in the town centre, but Alderley Edge’s Wizard has a Michelin Bib Gourmand (meaning that it’s recognised as supplying good food, at a good price) and it’s just a stride from The Edge too, which, providing you don’t let children jump off it, provides several hours of woodlandy fun after lunch.
Nether Alderley, Macclesfield. Tel: 01625 584000

2. Country pub

Fitting the bill of day out, treat and family fun in one, the charming Hole In T’Wall, hides behind the cobbled hump-backed bridge in Hebden. This old-fashioned restaurant and pub serves up food as locally sourced as possible, with a slightly hippyish edge; think falafel burgers, local meats and so on, It’s a relaxed, friendly place with plenty to distract the young children thanks to Hebden’s quaint streets, duck-filled brook and the nearby forest of Hardcastle Crags.
Hanging Royd Lane, Hebden Bridge
Tel: 01422 844 059

3. Noodle bar

No matter what your age, it’s hard to resist the joy of schlurping up a massive bowl of noodles. Both Tampopo and Wagamama provide plenty of additional entertainment for youngsters in the form of colouring pencils and special menus. Typically, service is spot-on and speedy, and neither chain is wildly expensive either.

4. Posh restaurants

Before my son could crawl, I spent an inordinate amount of time enjoying five hour lunches in posh restaurants. There are plenty of these about town, many offering a Mother’s Day menu but be sure to opt for a spacious joint rather than intimate one - unless you want people studying your breastfeeding technique. The Lowry, Malmaison and Room are all solid bets.

5. Old fashioned grub

Mums, Dads and young’uns love sausage and mash, pies and all ye olde English dishes and few places serve them with more panache than Tom and Sam’s Chop Houses. I love to go here with my family because the surrounding are gorgeous, old and woody, they’ve got an excellent range of wines by the glass, and they’re always rammed, so fighting children are less easily heard over the good-humoured roar.

New show of pop ups hits The Lowry

2008-09-19T02:12:00.000-07:00

Cities and landmarks created in classic 'kids' materials, such as pop-up books and Lego are taking over the planet. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but when in Berlin, in March, i spent time in 'mini berlin' at the new Legoland in Potsdamer Platz, a display which features plenty of Berlin landmarks, such as the Reichstag - only in LEGO not brick- and now this concept is arriving here in Manchester, at The Lowry.

Opening next satuday, the new show is called Pop-Up and contains some of the planet's finest and most noble structures, hewn from paper and card rather that glass, steel and timber. It will also feature 'landmarks of Salford' - although quite what these will be remain unclear; 'The City of Salford will also be represented by local artists who have participated in a creative project with The Lowry.' says the official Lowry release. 'They have learnt how to make a drawing quite literally leap off the page and created pop-ups of Salford landmarks.'

Open: Sat 27 September 2008 – Sun 15 March 2009 at The Lowry.

Guardianing For Free....

2008-09-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Don't know if anyone else saw it, but there was this wicked feature in G2 in the Guardian yesterday, called How To Be A Thrifty Gardener.

I thought it was really inspiring and full of some top tips and things that would be reallllly easy to do with kids, such as stuffing breeze blocks with soil and little alpine plants and rummaging around for old catering oil cans to turn into plant potters. Obviously if you live in a flat like me, with a dog, child and tiny balcony your options are limited, but even i saw a couple of things i thought.... humm that's an idea.

The Guardian (no, they're not paying me, i'm just having a bit of a broadsheet moment) are also advertising this book 'The Foolproof Guide To Gardening With Children' on their website for £12.99, which is reduced from it's rrp of £14.99. Might make a good Christmas present in these credit-crunch times.

Family Friendly Film Festival, LEIGH!

2008-08-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Family Friendly Film Festival at the Turnpike Centre, Leigh. On Friday 15 August, from 1.30 - 3.30pm there will be a 45 minute programme of short films and animation, followed by fun-filled art and craft activities. AND BEST OF ALL! its free.

Free tickets can be collected in person from Leigh Library Counter or call the Library on 01942 404404 to request tickets.

Summer In The Park

2008-07-10T14:59:00.001-07:00

Despite the fact that it's likely to pour, everyone but everyone is going to Summer In The Park, this weekend.

Mr Scruff (!! Wooo!!) will be there. Some other DJs and stuff will be there too, but best of all, included in the price is a Baby Loves Disco party - which would normally set you back £8 on it's own, and this event costs £9.50 for Baby Loves Disco PLUS loads of chef demos, tasting stalls (my FAV thing, as a nine year old, were cheese counters with free bits of cheese on them. or stalls giving away buttered bread for you to try the butter. FREE FOOD! does life get any better?!) and food stalls, more bands.

They're all chugging manc rockers to me, like I Am Kloot, but people like them, plus, all your friends will be there!

This Sat and Sun. £9.50 per day. Kids 11 and under are free.

Wet Sounds comes to Mcr this Sat

2008-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is an underwater disco, and you only pay for the price of entry to the pool. HOW GOOD IS THAT! check it out here.

Levenshulme Baths. Barlow Road Levenshulme 0161 224 4370. 1pm to 2.30pm, 3pm to 4.30pm.

Cheshire Steam Fair, July 12 & 13

2008-06-23T10:29:00.001-07:00

The Cheshire Steam Fair is on the weekend of the 12/13th July.

Rachel, who is mother of Noah says... "My son LOVES steam and he loves trains and all that shizzle."

And who doesn't, man! Here are the details...

The show is on both days, 10am to 5pm and tickets cost £6 for adults, Under 16’s £3 and Family Tickets £15. I'm guessing that toddlers / u3s are free, but don't quote me.

There's not a huge amount of info about what's on but click here for updates. So far promised highlights include steam engines, fairground organs, classic and vintage cars and trucks (vintage trucks are SOOOO AMAZING SEE ABOVE), old motorcycles, tractors, engines and somethig called an 'autojumble' too!

There will also be a children’s corner and old time rides as well as a modern funfair. Come on.

Feast! and an actual Carpet Of Flowers

2008-06-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Oh ho... those lovely people who brought us Feast! (the picnic in Platt Fields park last weekend) are getting ready to put on another couple of fabulous kid-friendly events.

Now I wouldnt normally be quite so effusive when it comes to outdoor, kiddy events (wet faces/ wet hair/ mud/ nowhere to change nappies/ bug-filled falafels... ) but Feast! was excellent last weekend, and i reckon that the forthcoming 'Tall Tales in the White Tent' , a kids event put on by Nicole et Martin Circus 21 to 25 August, and Carpet Of Flowers in Albert Square on 16 to 20 July on should be just as good too.

Particularly Carpet Of Flowers. (hayfever sufferers excepted, of course....)

Disco for babies, with DJ Mr Scruff

2008-06-05T04:48:00.000-07:00

Called Music Baby! this new 3 hour (!) under fives dance session takes place at The Lowry

on the following dates... Sat 5 July 2008 – Sold out, Sun 7 Sept, Sun 5 Oct and Sun 2 Nov and stars DJ and music finder, Mr Scruff on the decks, alongside Elliot Eastwick, of pub quiz and local radio fame.

Genres covered are set to include Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Indie, Punk, Reggae, Latin, African, Disco, House and Funk. Meanwhile there will be visuals, a dance teacher, games, a buggie park food for sale, and the all-important bar.

1pm - 4pm, Tickets: £10, £7.50, £30 family ticket
Prices include healthy nibbles for the kids
Salford residents receive a 10% discount on tickets

PIRATE SCHOOL theatre show, this sat. 2.30pm.

2008-06-04T05:48:00.000-07:00

Pirate School is coming to the waterside arts centre in Sale. Okay, so being a more centrally located bod lacking the millions one requires to reside in Sale, i don't spend a huge amount of time in the suburb, but this arts centre does put on a frighteningly good array of stuff for kids... in coming months they've got a kids stand up comedian, this show, various performing arts workshops aimed specifically at young people, and their adult programme isn't shy of great too, with singing workshops and such like for beginners too. Just the kind of thing to indulge in over summer, before winter makes you want to lock the door and never come out. sorry. that'll just be me, but it looks good allllll round.

Magna

2008-05-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Ok so it's not exactly on the doorstep, but i've heard some good things about Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham. It's the kind of place that kids will spend a field trip at, but it's got plenty of handz-on science stuff for younger kids too.

On Wednesday 28th May, they're having a ‘Colour Day’ to celebrate their latest exhibition, Eye for Colour, which explores things which are bright and colourful. As an added incentive Children who wear red on this day will get in for free.

I, for one, love stuff like this, cos all too soon children get soooo over dresssing up, so make the most of it while they can't protest!

Thomas Pulls In

2008-04-23T04:14:00.000-07:00

Thomas & Friends arrive at the Opera House in Manchester, Friday 25 to Sunday 27 April

My son pointed out a flaw in the concept behind the Thomas stage show; 'Thomas can't go to a theatre mum, he has to go to a station' however, it looks like an excellent adventure all round, with musical numbers and characters like Thomas, Percy, Diesel, The Fat Controller and various other residents of the strangely named island Of Sodor.

The show clocks in at 90 minutes, and includes songs such as... ‘Roll Call’ and ‘Good Morning’ as well as a magic lantern festival.

Fri 2pm, 5pm, Sat 11am, 2pm and 5pm, Sun 11am and 2pm, £10 to £19.50, tel: 0844 847 2328

Classical for kids: Wallace and Gromit at Bridgewater Hall

2008-04-02T04:24:00.000-07:00

Presented by the above kid's tv personality, Chris Jarvis, this Saturday, a BBC Philharmonic classical concert at the Bridgewater Hall is set to feature the Wallace & Gromit film theme tune. For those like me who aren't exactly au fait with the classical conundrum, this could provide the perfect opportunity to get kids chomping at the classical bit, and even pracitising their cellos or what have you. It looks like a nice afternoon out anyhow.

The extravaganza is aimed at 7-13 year olds but suitable for all ages and music inspired by Harry Potter is on the programme too.

Saturday 5 April at 3pm, ₤5 for children, ₤8 for adults and ₤20 for a group of four. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Native creatures, ahoy!

2008-03-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

Arthur (or me, anyhow) are fans of British wildlife, and this is a round up i wrote for The Guardian a while back.

Wild Boar at Chipping, near Preston

Wild boars, fluffy chicks and tractor rides for a pound a go, plus plenty of related edibles too. Wild Boar Park, 10.30am to 4pm daily, £4.50 adults, £3.50 child, £14 family. Chipping, Preston (Call 01995 61554)

Shire Horses at Cotebrook, Cheshire

A working stable packed with Shires, Clydesdales and rolling acoutrements. Horsing about guaranteed.Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, 10am to 5pm daily, £5.95 adult, £3.95 child (under 5s are free), £18.50 family, Cotebrook, near Tarporley, Cheshire (call 01829 760506 or visit http://www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk/)

Seals in Gweek, Cornwall

A rescue centre for the lost and poorly seals of the south, with sea lions and otters to add to the fun. The National Seal Sanctuary, from 10am daily, £10.95 adults, £7.95 child (3 to 14), Gweek, near Helston, Cornwall (call 0871 423 2110)

Shrew in Herne Bay, Kent

A forest park crammed with small and often endangered creatures like pool frogs, harvest mice and water shrew. Wildwood, 10am to 4pm daily, £9.50 adult, £7.50 child (3 and over) Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Kent (call 0871 7820081)

Kingussie Hooper swans in the Highlands

Home to over 100 of the Nordic charmers right now, as well as the odd Golden Eagle, Scottish Cross Bill and Black Grouse. Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve, open at all times, free, Kingussie, Highland (Call 01540 661518)

Easter days out: The Deep and Eureka!

2008-03-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Ideas for easter days out....

The Deep (in Hull, but don't let that phase you) launches Shark Summer season next Friday (March 21) which includes the daily screening of a '4D shark movie' which will star great whites, whalesharks and giant hammerheads. Excellent. Not one for the feary.

Halifax's Eureka museum meanwhile has something for all ages in the form of a Dinosaur Dig (March 21 to April 13) The museum's park will be transformed into a dinosaur dig fit and, if your young diggers dress up as explorers or dinosaurs, they get in for free with a paying adult.

The Nutcracker!

2008-02-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend we are going to a show at the Lowry called Matthew Bournes Nutcracker!

There's something about the use of an exclaimation mark after any event title that puts me right off. I'm trying to think of examples to illustrate my point and failing, but regardless of my feelings, the show sounds right up my son's street. He likes (in order of passion)

1. sweets (the show culminates in sweetie land)

2. theatres (they are dark and he gets to lie around eating sweets while people parade around for his pleasure)

3. dancing (most days include at least an hour of his own personal dance-fusion which combines air guitar with gestures of a lady of the night. i have no idea where he gets it from).

I will report back, but the last few Saturday matinee tickets are on sale now.

My Kid Could Paint That?

2008-02-15T03:47:00.001-08:00

My Kid Could Paint That is a new film / doco showing at Cornerhouse. I've read loads about it and i think, by exploring the story of alleged US child painting prodigy Marla Olmstead, it raises the issue of how much it's okay to do for our kids and how far it's okay to push them before you become a bully. Complex issues, all round really.

Its showing today - Sun at 2pm and 6.25pm. and Mon 8.40pm.

Giraffes Can't Dance

2008-02-13T04:35:00.001-08:00

Oldham Colisseum have a new kids venue in the charming village of upper mill, and they've got two shows for kids lined up that you can book for now;

First up is Dr Nose Travels Through Time (for 5-11 year olds) on Friday March 7 at 4.30pm and next is Giraffes Can't Dance (for 3-7 year olds) on Friday April 11 at 4.30pm

Tickets cost £4 to £6 and can be booked here.

this is what it's like in my house

2008-02-12T04:02:00.000-08:00

i actually stole this link from rob (thanks rob) who's well into music, but i like it a lot.

Opera for kids, innit

2008-02-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Children's musical The Adventures Of Pinocchio comes to the Lowry this week. One for slightly older kids, (they don't recommend it for the under 8s) its the debut of Opera North's show, and it's received some charming reviews (including this five star one from it's Leeds debut) making it must-see viewing for the cultured family.

The Lowry are also running Pinocchio Family Workshop for £5 at 5.15pm this Friday, and 3.15pm on Sat.

Santa, Spinningfields, this weekend

2007-12-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a hearty overhaul, Manchester' s financial and business district is no longer just for bankers. It's got waterfalls, pretty illuminations in blues and whites, canal views, acres of pedestrianised space to run around ... and now Santa and a host of carol singers too.

This weekend, Santa will present in a grotto (11am-4pm) in Hardman Square as carols are sung by the Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust choir between 1pm and 3pm on both days.

Ha!Ha! bar (there's one in Liverpool docks, and it does catch all Brit-style fair, like bangers and herby mash, burgers and so on) and Cafe Rouge (a slightly dodgier bet to my mind, although the nicoise salad isn't awful) are both offering a 'Kids Eat Free' deal, which should save you a couple of quid on lunch too.

Whitworth Art Gallery events

2007-12-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

The Whitworth Art Gallery is bucking up it's kiddy ideas lately, with the following range of events....

Sundays

Every sunday 1.30- 3.30pm is 'colourful sunday' art session, during which you can make a 'punk peg doll' . Cool. All ages. Drop in session.

Every 2nd sunday of the month 10.30-11.30am is 'a toddler-tastic art session' for the under 5s featuring story telling, and painting. Book on 0161 275 74 50 or email novae.lee@manchester.ac.uk

Tuesdays

Jan 8, Feb 5 and 12, Mar 4 and 25, April 1 , 11am - 12.30pm are a selection of 'arty picnics' for under 5s (you bring the food, they provide the art materials. Under 5s. Drop in.

Wednesdays

Feb 13, 2-4pm is an 'amazing animation' session, which outlines loads of animation and stuff in a show inspired by Blake's paintings. All ages. Drop in.

Mar 26 2-4pm is 'sticky walls' the chance to make your own 3D wall paper. All ages. Drop in.

Thursdays

Apr 3, 2-4pm Make your own t-shirts inspired by the gallery's art works at 'terrific t-shirts'. genius name. All ages. Drop in.

Saturdays

Feb 16, 2-4pm is an 'amazing animation' session, which outlines loads of animation and stuff in a show inspired by Blake's paintings. All ages. Drop in.

Mar 29 2-4pm is 'sticky walls' the chance to make your own 3D wall paper. All ages. Drop in.

Apr 5, 2-4pm Make your own t-shirts inspired by the gallery's art works at 'terrific t-shirts'. genius name. All ages. Drop in.

Image from the Whitworth's new 'Flights of Fancy' show, about 1920s and 30s decorative textiles.

Parent & Toddler cinema screenings

2007-12-07T05:21:00.000-08:00

Mondays:
This Monday (10th December) there's a parent and baby show of The Golden Compass at 2pm at the Apollo in Altrincham.

Tuesdays:
Dec 11 sees two screenings of the Golden Compass (just what mums want to watch. Daniel Craig innit!)
Odeon Trafford at 11.30am
Odeon Warrington at 10am

Wednesdays:
Dec 12 Odeon Rochdale at 11am for more Golden Compass action.

More to follow. or let me know if you know of other cinemas that offer this service.

The Santa special train from Bury.

2007-12-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

We went on this at the weekend and it was better than the start of the first Harry Potter when young Hazza first hits the platform bound for Hogwarts. There were elves smoking fags, cowboys, indians, santa, a brass band, and all the light gleaming through the holly overhead, casting the whole scene in a really beautiful, magical light.

The three of us paid £24 between us (me, young Art and his dad) and for the price we got a steam ride for about 40 minutes, through tunnels lit with festive illuminations, as well as the peaks and troughs of the Ramsbottom and Bury area.

On the train, Santa turned up pretty quick and handed Art a police car, with siren (i think all 3-5 year old boys got the same thing).

A brass band followed, playing two snappy carols in each carriage before one of the many elf-clad volunteers (who ranged in age from 15 - 85) handed us a bag with a mince pie and a surprisingly llarge bottle of harveys Bristol Cream sherry.

Truly amazing. Click here for more info.