🦊October is the new orange...

Good morning, London! Happy Thursday. Welcome to all our new members! Word of mouth is a powerful beast. The last time I had this many "Hi" emails in my inbox was during those irresistible H&M sales back when I was a student (and pints of beer were like £2). Good times!

Now, I hope all you state school parents are ready to join the half-zombie private school gang who’ve had their kids at home all week. And for those with non-school-age babies, don’t worry—you’re in the calm before the school storm.

Luckily for all of us, there are plenty of fun things coming up in this beautiful capital of ours. Scroll down for a big list!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• 📱 Clicking with Caution: Online Wild West

• 🏠 Housing: It’s a Buyer’s Market, says the barber

• 📅 Readers’ Favorite Section: Family things to do this week

• 👶 Big Baby Expo: UK’s largest

• 🧠 Casual Einstein - Two cool facts to impress

But first, the weather—because it’s the only safe topic to discuss with that elevator colleague whose name we still can’t remember!

DIGITAL PLAYGROUND
The digital playground: Clicking with caution

Last week we ran a story about the MP on a mission to yank smartphones out of schools (see here). But in a world where toddlers can unlock phones faster than they can tie their shoelaces, let's face it - digital devices are here to stay. Instead of hiding all screens, there are certain things we can do to make them safer.

Basic safety rules. If you only have 30 seconds, teach them this:

• Never share personal information (address, school, phone number)

• Don't talk to strangers online

• Never agree to meet online friends in person

• Don't share passwords with anyone

• Ask before downloading apps or clicking links

What else can we do?

1. Be a Digital Detective. Stay informed. Know your TikTok from your Roblox? No? Time to do some research. Understanding what apps your kids are using isn't just good parenting - it's your ticket to finally understanding what they're talking about at dinner.

2. Master the Art of Not-So-Subtle Snooping. Create an environment where your kids actually want to tell you about their online life. Yes, it's possible! The secret? Ask questions, show interest, and try not to visibly panic when they mention their 1000 YouTube subscribers.

3. Set Clear Guidelines. Establish ground rules that work for everyone. Set time limits and discuss which apps and content are appropriate. For example, in my experience, YouTube Kids is bad. While there are some educational channels, much of the content is just loud, colorful, and addictive nonsense. New channels often pop up, even when you've set parental controls.

4. Start Small, Grow Slow. Just like you wouldn't hand your five-year-old the car keys, consider starting with limited access and gradually increasing their digital independence as they prove they can handle it. Think of it as digital training wheels. Yes, I know there's a camp of 'no access to screens at all until they turn X.

5. The Grandma rule. Remind your kids that anything they post online can potentially remain there indefinitely. Discuss the importance of thinking before sharing photos or information. Encourage them to ask themselves if they’d be comfortable with their grandma seeing what they post!

Remember: We're all in this together, trying to raise kids who are smarter online than we ever were. We’ll have different opinions and approaches, just like with anything else. And if all else fails, there's always the WiFi password - the modern parent's secret weapon.

REAL ESTATE
It’s a Buyer’s market, says the barber

Good news, London house hunters – Rightmove’s declared it a buyer’s market. Time to lift that heavy mattress of yours, grab the cash, and snag that dream home. But hold on, as Warren Buffett wisely put it: “Don’t ask the barber whether you need a haircut.” So, proceed cautiously if you don’t want to lose that precious fringe.

The average UK house price crept up by a barely noticeable 0.3% this October. What’s causing this slowdown? Buyers have more choice than kids in a sweet shop and are flexing their negotiating muscles. According to Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s head of property science (yep, that’s a thing), buyers haven’t had this much choice since 2014! Sellers will need to price sharply if they want to attract offers, especially with everyone still feeling the pinch.

Did you know the average time to secure a buyer in London is currently 62 days? It peaked at 84 days in January and has trickled down to the low 60s since then. So, click submit on Zoopla and get ready for a big paycheck this Christmas! Source

Now, while everyone’s still moving at a decent clip, some are pausing to see if mortgage rates will magically plummet, while others are just cracking on, Brexit style – no plan, but full steam ahead! All in all, house prices are still sky-high, and while mortgage rates might come down, they’re currently about as stubborn as a toddler at bedtime. So, if you’re thinking of buying, sharpen those negotiation skills and keep an eye on the market! Full article here.

WHAT’S ON?
London: October is the new orange

Alright, alright, I get it! You put up with my weekly ramblings and questionable humor because you want to know what’s happening in London this week. We’ve all learned from that one time when Lily’s mom wouldn’t stop talking about that big free event full of Disney+ celebrities we missed—thanks for the heads-up, Lily’s mom!

Anyway, London is gearing up for Halloween, and whether you’re on the hunt for pumpkins, dodging spooky tours, or just looking for an excuse to dust off that Halloween costume (you know the one), we’ve got you covered. A few are still running from last week, but 20+ new additions for the week ahead.

🎃 Yayoi Kusama Giant Pumpkin
Date: Ongoing
Location: Kensington Gardens
Snap a Halloween selfie next to a massive 6-meter-tall bronze pumpkin! A playful blend of art and nature.
Age: All ages | Price: Free, gratis, nichts!
See More

🐾 The Pumpkin Patch @ Hobbledown Heath
Date: October 20th - November 3rd
Location: Hounslow
Enjoy pumpkin picking and fun activities for all ages at this family-friendly event.
Age: Everyone | Price: From £6.50
Book

🧙‍♀️ Room on the Broom @ Kew Gardens
Date: October 19th - 27th
Location: Kew Gardens
Dive into the magical world of Room on the Broom and explore the witch’s journey through autumn landscapes.
Age: All ages | Price: Included with Kew Gardens entry
See More

🚌 Halloween Kids Bus Tour
Date: October 19th - November 3rd
Location: Across London
Discover London’s history enriched with fun facts and spooky tales.
Age: All ages | Price: £22
Book

🎃 Halloween @ Kew Gardens
Date: October 18th - November 3rd
Location: Kew Gardens
A yearly favorite! Explore the after-dark Halloween trail, packed with hidden surprises.
Age: All ages | Price: £15-£20
Video / Tickets

🎃 Howl’o’ween at Chessington
Date: October 19th - November 3rd
Location: Chessington World of Adventures
Celebrate Halloween with family-friendly fun, including entertainment and trick or treat.
Age: All ages | Price: From £32
Book

🐋 The Storm Whale @ Polka Theatre
Date: October 25th - November 3rd
Location: Wimbledon
A heartwarming adaptation of Benji Davies' The Storm Whale—perfect for families.
Age: 4-8 years | Price: £10
Book

🎃 Pumpkin Festival @ Crockford Bridge Farm
Date: October 25th - November 1st
Location: Surrey
An immersive pumpkin festival with performances and pumpkin installations.
Age: 5+ | Price: £14.50
Link

🧙‍♂️ Halloween Family Party @ Marblehill Playcentre
Date: October 26th
Location: Twickenham
An afternoon of family fun across two bespoke outdoor play spaces! Enjoy a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, and more.
Age: Everyone | Price: £25 for the family
Book

🎃 OMF’s Halloween Festival @ Old Macdonald’s Farm
Date: October 26th - November 3rd
Location: Brentwood
A fun-filled Halloween festival with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and spooky entertainment.
Age: Everyone | Price: From £20 (includes free pumpkins)
Book

🎃 Spooky Fun Day @ Horniman Museum & Gardens
Date: October 26th
Location: Dulwich
Drop by for Halloween-themed fun, including music and witch-themed tours.
Age: Everyone | Price: Free, gratis, nichts!
More Information

🎃 Halloween Bash @ Gunnersbury Park House
Date: October 26th - 27th
Location: Acton/Brentford
Celebrate Halloween with thrilling activities at the Orangery.
Age: Everyone | Price: £16
More Information

🎃 Wizards & Witches @ Bocketts Farm Park
Date: October 26th - November 3rd
Location: Fetcham
Enjoy the Spooktacular Trail, science shows, and even a Monster Mash Bubble Disco!
Age: Everyone | Price: From £18.50
More Information

🕯️ Halloween @ Tower of London
Date: October 26th - November 3rd
Location: Tower Hill
Experience a spooky tour of the Tower of London’s haunted history.
Age: Everyone | Price: From £17.50
More Information

🏰 Halloween @ Hampton Court Palace
Date: October 26th - November 3rd
Location: Hampton Court Palace
Discover the magic behind Henry VIII’s haunted palace. With atmospheric projections and sound effects.
Age: All ages | Price: From £13.60
Link

🎤 Fly Kid Family Rave @ Pop Brixton
Date: October 27th
Location: Brixton
A hip-hop, RnB, soul, and pop party for London's coolest kids and grown-ups!
Age: Everyone | Price: £27 for a family
Book

🎨 Paint a Pumpkin @ Chelsea Physic Garden
Date: October 28th - 30th
Location: Chelsea
Join a fun pumpkin painting session, and take home your very own painted pumpkin.
Age: Everyone | Price: £15
More Information

🦖 The Great Big Dinosaur Show @ Jacksons Lane
Date: October 29th - 31st
Location: Highgate
A lively family show packed with poems, raps, and songs about prehistoric creatures.
Age: Family | Price: £15
Book

🕷️ Creepy Crawly Activities by Royal Parks
Date: October 29th - 31st
Location: Hyde Park
Explore spooky feely boxes, uncover fun facts on a nature trail, learn about bats, and enjoy a spooky story.
Age: Suitable for kids | Price: Free, gratis, nichts!
More Information

🎨 Kids Pottery Workshop @ Angel Yard Edmonton
Date: October 25th, 27th, 29th, Nov 1st
Location: North London
Kids can unleash their creativity in a special pottery session.
Age: Everyone | Price: £15
Book

👻 The Baddies (Julia Donaldson) @ Rose Theatre
Date: October 29th - November 3rd
Location: Kingston upon Thames
Join a witch, a troll, and a ghost as they try to spook a brave little girl.
Age: 3+ | Price: From £15
Book

🎨 Market Explorers @ Borough Market
Date: October 30th - 31st
Location: Borough Market
A series of fun, inspiring activities designed to get primary-age children thinking about food.
Age: Primary-age children | Price: Free, gratis, nichts!
More Information

🎨 Create Your Own Character: Feathers McGraw @ Cartoon Museum
Date: October 30th
Location: Oxford Circus
Make everyone's favorite villain, Feathers McGraw, with the help of Aardman Animation.
Age: 6+ | Price: £18
More Information

🧁 Halloween Teen Baking Session with Jo Pratt
Date: October 30th
Location: Knightsbridge
Teens can enjoy a special Halloween-themed baking class with Jo Pratt, creating spooky treats!
Age: Teens | Price: £65
Book

🧙‍♀️ Trick or Treat Trail @ Covent Garden
Date: October 31st, 12pm-4pm
Location: Covent Garden
Grab the kids and join the spellbindingly wicked Halloween Trick or Treat Trail. Explore areas of Covent Garden you may never have been to before whilst testing your observation skills and learning some fun facts.
Age: Everyone | Price: Free, gratis, nichts!
More Information

Some of the usual on-going suspects:

🦖 Natural History Museum & Science Museum
Date: Ongoing Location: South Kensington
They are classics for a reason, we are lucky to have them and they are free. Worth a visit every season! Nothing like a roaring T-Rex to give your kids a good scare.
Age: All ages | Price: Free (booking required)
Book NHM / Book SM

🚀 Ted’s Space Adventure @ Royal Observatory
Date: Ongoing Location: Greenwich
A special live planetarium show with Ted – perfect for little astronauts.
Age: 3-7 years | Price: from £6
Book

🐻 Paddington Bear Experience
Date: Ongoing Location: Near the London Eye
One of the latest hits on the London scene, bit expensive for the whole family but it’s getting rave reviews from everyone who visits. Meet Paddington Bear and his beloved Aunt Lucy!
Age: All ages | Price: from £44
Book

NEW PARENTS
The Baby Show @ London Olympia

Big Baby Show in London this weekend! 🎉 From Friday, 25th to Sunday, 27th. Great opportunity if you’re pregnant, have just welcomed a little one, or need to shop for gifts (because who doesn’t love baby clothes?).

Both big and boutique brands will be showcasing their latest gadgets and must-have products. Expect live talks from parenting experts (who are definitely not just winging it like the rest of us), loads of discounts, and maybe even a few surprises. And yes, there’s a buggy testing track—take that, F1!

Tickets are £18 and kids can come with you for free. You can find out more and book here.

CASUAL EINSTEIN
2 for 1: Outsmart your 3rd grader & out-fact the other parents

Here are two cool facts to help you sound like the smartest parent on the playground:

Random fact: Kangaroos Can't Walk Backward. Kangaroos can hop really well, but they can’t walk backward! Their large tails and unique body shape make it impossible for them to move in reverse.

London fact: Did you know it actually rains more in Rome than in London? Even though everyone thinks London is super rainy, we only get about 106 rainy days per year - that's less than Sydney and New York!

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