🦊 The October Shift

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. And just like that, we’ve slid into October. One minute you’re debating the ethics of turning the heating on, the next it’s pumpkin chat and coat roulette.

There’s a Supermoon lighting up UK skies next week, which feels fitting. October always arrives with a bit of drama. You’ll need to stay up late on Tuesday or catch it just after sunset, assuming the clouds don’t play dirty on us.

Speaking of spectacle, the NFL lands in London this Sunday. Expect a sudden surge in American jerseys if you’re anywhere near central.

There’s a note from one of my favourite holiday camps further down, and next week’s issue will be a full-on Halloween special. Brace yourself for pumpkin overload.

Let’s dive in.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🚆 New DLR Trains Are Here. The first of the DLR’s brand new trains has finally rolled into service, complete with air con, USB ports and walk-through carriages. It’s like the future, but politely delayed. More will arrive in the coming months, replacing the clunky old models that have been rattling around since the 90s. South and East London, your commute just got a bit cooler. Full story

🏘️ London’s Getting Even More London. Enfield and Greenwich have been shortlisted for brand new towns, as part of the government’s plan to get Britain building again. Enfield could see 21,000 new homes pop up, complete with schools, surgeries and probably a Pret. Some locals aren’t thrilled about greenbelt land being used, but if all goes to plan, the diggers could start rumbling before the next election. Full story

🌇 Crown Tower. A 31-storey glass-and-steel crown is coming to the City, right next to the Walkie Talkie. The new tower at 130 Fenchurch Street has been approved, complete with offices, shops, and a 17th floor sky garden with skyline views and fewer queues than its neighbour. Bonus: a fancy new shortcut between Cullum Street and Fen Court. Full story

. OCTOBER CAMP .
The Strings Club: Welcoming Every Child

We’re glad to welcome Amy and The Strings Club back in our Spotlight this week. They’ve put a lot of thought into making their holiday camps a place where every child can feel at home. With half term around the corner, here’s how they do it:

• Training: Every team member completes SEN awareness training before camp. Many are qualified SENCOs working in schools.

• Parent communication: Parents are invited to share details about their child’s needs in advance, and the team follows up personally if needed.

• Low ratios: An 8:1 child-to-staff ratio means extra support and one-to-one attention when needed.

"Our son came home so happy. Not all summer clubs are able to make activities inclusive of neurodivergent children and give them a chance to shine. He’s already excited for tomorrow."

So if you’re planning half-term and want something joyful and enriching, mixing music, creativity and play, The Strings Club is our pick. Small groups led by real musicians and passionate educators.

👉 October half-term camps 

P.S. Use code NEWCUS10 for a little saving on your first camp!

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: Your nose can remember up to 50,000 different scents. 👃🧠 It’s one of your most powerful memory tools, quietly logging smells for years. A whiff of a crayon, a t-shirt, or a roast dinner, your brain files it all with no labels needed.

London Fact: The benches in Parliament still have sword hooks underneath. ⚔️🏛️ They’re a relic from the days when MPs might show up armed. These days it’s more about shouting across the room, but the hooks remain. Just in case.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🐣 Hartbeeps @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Oct 2 (Thu), South Norwood SE25
Immersive classes for babies and toddlers with music, sensory play, puppets and plenty of imagination. A playful mix of songs and make-believe.
Age: 0–4yo | Price: from £7 | Info

🧛 Dracula: The Bloody Truth @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: Oct 2-11, Hammersmith W6
A chaotic comedy take on Bram Stoker’s classic, as Professor Van Helsing desperately attempts to set the record straight with the help of an unprepared amateur cast.
Age: 13+ | Price: £10 | Info

🎶 Singing & Story Sessions @ London Transport Museum
Date & Loc: Oct 3 (Fri), Covent Garden WC2E
Combine song, stories and a short craft in a transport-themed setting.
Age: Under 5s | Price: no cost (with museum adm.) | Info

🎨 Mini Play for Babies @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Oct 3/6/10, Bethnal Green E2
A sensory play session just for babies and caregivers, with soft textures, gentle sound and creative play inspired by the Play Gallery.
Age: Under 1 | Price: £15 | Info

⚡ Pokémon Mega Evolution @ Westfield London
Date & Loc: Oct 3–5, Shepherd’s Bush W12
Step inside a Pokémon museum with giant evolutions, exclusive trading card displays and interactive zones celebrating the first anniversary of Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

👽 Great Alien Hunt @ Royal Institution
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Mayfair W1S
Join astronomer Matt Bothwell on a cosmic quest to find life across the Universe. From frozen moons to lava worlds, explore how scientists hunt for aliens and maybe answer the big question… are we alone?
Age: 4–12yo | Price: from £7 | Info

🎨 Creative Open Day @ Royal Albert Wharf
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Royal Docks E16
A full day of free workshops, art, fashion, music and a community parade by the water. From tote bag making to puppet shows and Halloween mask-making, it’s creativity on tap for the whole family.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 Fun Palace Day @ Half Moon Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Limehouse E1
A community takeover of the theatre with arts, science, craft, music and storytelling. A creative pick-and-mix where kids lead the way.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🐾 Here Comes Gudong @ Lyric Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Hammersmith W6
An award-winning interactive children’s theatre show where mythical animal explorers chase the mysterious “Gudong!” rumble. A playful mix of puppetry, folklore and eco-adventure.
Age: 3+ | Price: £10 | Info

🎲 Play Senet @ Petrie Museum
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Bloomsbury WC1E
Step back to ancient Egypt and try Senet, one of the world’s oldest board games. Family-friendly fun with guidance from expert Jaquie.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £5 | Info

🎸 Relaxed Saturday Improv @ St James’s Piccadilly
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Piccadilly W1J
An informal and accessible introduction to free improvisation with guitar and drums. Expect instrument demos, conversations about their creative process, and spontaneous performances.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🍀 Irish Storytelling @ Lambeth Fringe
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Lambeth SE1
Traditional Irish tales told for children as part of the Lambeth Fringe. Expect magical stories, lively characters and a warm welcome.
Age: 8+ | Price: £6 | Info

🌿 Kids Nature Challenge @ Kilburn Grange Park
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Kilburn NW6
Take part in a mini bioblitz to discover plants, animals and fungi in the park. Kids can work solo or in teams to spot the most species, with prizes for the top explorers.
Age: 3–15yo | Price: no cost | Info

📚 Storytelling with Hannah Lee @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Southbank SE1
Join author Hannah Lee for playful storytelling sessions full of rhythm and fun. A perfect stop on a family day out at the Southbank.
Age: 5–11yo | Price: no cost | Info

🎬 Family Film + Workshop @ Barbican
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Barbican EC2Y
Start with an animal-themed draw-along workshop, then watch four favourite episodes of Nikhil & Jay introduced by author Chitra Soundar. Stories, fun and a chance to meet the creator.
Age: 3–6yo | Price: £5 | Info

🥟 Korean Thanksgiving Festival @ New Malden High Street
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), New Malden KT3
Celebrate Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival, with music, dance, martial arts, games, and plenty of delicious food stalls. A vibrant cultural feast in London’s Korean hub.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎥 Family Film + Creative @ Barbican
Date & Loc: Oct 4 (Sat), Barbican EC2Y
A hands-on creative workshop with children’s author Chitra Soundar, followed by a family-friendly film screening. Storytelling, imagination and cinema rolled into one.
Age: 6–9yo | Price: from £5 | Info

🎃 Haunted House Cartoons @ Well Walk Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 4–5, Hampstead NW3
Step inside for a spooky reel of retro Halloween cartoons playing on loop. Drop in anytime for ghosts, ghouls and giggles at a spookily low price.
Age: Everyone | Price: £7 | Info

🎤 ABBA for Kids @ Cadogan Hall
Date & Loc: Oct 5 (Sun), Chelsea SW1X
A singalong celebration of ABBA’s greatest hits, reimagined for families. Dancing Queens and Super Troupers of all ages welcome.
Age: 6+ | Price: from £20 | Info

🎶 Rock & Rhyme @ ArtsDepot
Date & Loc: Oct 5 (Sun), North Finchley N12
A lively music and rhyme session for babies and toddlers, filled with songs, rhythm games and smiles. A gentle intro to live performance.
Age: 0–5yo | Price: £13.75 | Info

🌰 Conker Championships @ Hampstead Heath
Date & Loc: Oct 5 (Sun), Hampstead NW3
A classic autumn battle of skill and cracked shells. Bring your best conker and see who can become Heath champion in this delightfully old-school contest.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Family Studio @ Drawing Room
Date & Loc: Oct 5 (Sun), Bermondsey SE1
A relaxed Sunday drop-in art session for families. Get hands-on with creative activities together in the gallery’s bright studio space.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £0–£14 | Info

🧘 Parent & Baby Yoga @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Oct 7 (Tue), South Norwood SE25
A soothing class combining gentle parent-baby yoga, breathwork and a live soundbath with crystal bowls and chimes. A calm sensory space for bonding, relaxation and postnatal recovery.
Age: Under 1yo | Price: £11 | Info

🎶 Storytelling & Music @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: Oct 7 & 14, South Kensington SW7
Interactive sessions blending music and storytelling in the iconic Elgar Room. Designed for young children to sing, move and join in the fun.
Age: 0–4yo | Price: from £6 | Info

🐻 Paddington at Westfield @ Westfield London
Date & Loc: Oct 8-11, Shepherd’s Bush W12
Paddington Bear comes to Westfield with live appearances, themed activities and plenty of photo ops. A family shopping trip just got much cuddlier.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏡 Evim (My Home) @ Half Moon Theatre
Date & Loc: Oct 10–11, Limehouse E1
A magical non-verbal dance theatre inspired by Rumi and the whirling dervishes. Three wanderers twirl and whirl in search of a place to call home, followed by a stay-and-play session.
Age: 2–7yo | Price: £9 | Info

⛴️ Hats Ahoy! @ Tower Bridge
Date & Loc: Oct 11 (Sat), Tower Hill SE1
Make your own sailor’s hat in this drop-in craft session, inspired by the 800 ships that pass under Tower Bridge each year. Family activities are free with entry and come with a six-month pass for future sessions.
Age: 6–10yo (all welcome) | Price: no cost (with adm.) | Info

🦖 Dawnosaurs @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Oct 11 (Sat), South Kensington SW7
A relaxed early-morning opening of the museum for children with autism and other sensory needs. Explore the galleries with fewer visitors, softer lighting and plenty of support.
Age: 5–15yo | Price: no cost (book. req) | Info

🎭 Baby Broadway Concert @ Woolwich Works
Date & Loc: Oct 11 (Sat), Woolwich SE18
Sing along to West End hits and film favourites in this interactive family concert. Expect bubbles, puppets and plenty of tunes for little ones and grown-ups alike.
Age: 0–7yo | Price: from £11 | Info

🕸️ Anansi & The Lost Sun @ Puppet Theatre Barge
Date & Loc: Oct 11 (Sat), Little Venice W9
A West African tale retold with puppetry, spoken word and traditional music. Anansi the trickster takes on Lion, Monkey and Eagle in the quest to bring back the sun.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £12 | Info

✨ Water Lantern Festival @ Clapham Common
Date & Loc: Oct 11-12, Clapham Common
An enchanting evening where families decorate and release lanterns across the water. Food trucks, live music and a glowing, communal night to remember.
Age: Everyone | Price: £24 | Info

💪 Grand Sumo Tournament @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: Oct 15-19, South Kensington SW7
Ok obviously not for everyone and very expensive, but might be useful for someone. The drama of Japanese sumo returns to the Royal Albert Hall. Witness traditional rituals, thundering bouts and incredible athletic skill up close.
Age: 8+ | Price: from £250 | Info

🐻 We’re Going on a Bear Hunt @ Little Angel
Date & Loc: until Nov 8, Canonbury N1
Join a family expedition through mud, rivers and forests in this puppet‑filled adaptation of Michael Rosen’s beloved picture book. An ideal adventure for brave hunters and bear lovers alike.
Age: 3–8 | Price: £13 | Info

🦉 WOW! Said the Owl @ Little Angel
Date & Loc: until Nov 8, Canonbury N1
Journey with a curious owl through daylight, colour and stars in this gentle puppet‑story show based on the book by Tim Hopgood.
Age: 2‑5 | Price: from £13 | Info

🩰 Family Sundays @ Royal Opera House
Date & Loc: Sundays from Oct 26, Covent Garden WC2E
Discover opera, ballet and backstage magic through hands-on creative activities, workshops and themed fun in the heart of the Royal Opera House. A great intro for curious kids and their grown-ups.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

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. SPREAD THE LOVE .
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