DO TRY THIS AT HOME and SING AWAY THE BLUES
At home or out and about, we look at wacky and wonderful science exhibitions and
books to inspire doctors, engineers, inventors or even astronauts of the future
DO TRY THIS AT HOME . . .
Wallace and Gromit present a World of
Cracking Ideas – Science Museum
Wacky contraptions, techno trousers, telly-scopes . . .
Join Wallace and Gromit and discover how simple
ideas can transform into life-changing devices. The
Science Museum promises to inspire innovators of
the future by showing children some of the greatest
inventions ever seen. (28 March – 1 November 2009)
Also at the Science Museum:
Science Night for children aged 8 to 11, this is an
evening of exciting science activities and all-night
sleepover in the Science Museum.
To space and
beyond - what about a truly out of this world birthday
party at the Science Museum IMAX
3D Cinema?
Go to www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
or call 0870 870 4868
The Robot Zoo – Horniman Museum
This year sees the UK premiere of The Robot Zoo,
an exhibition of brightly coloured mechanical
creatures bringing animal anatomy to life. The giant
models and interactive elements reveal the
evolutionary adaptations that have allowed eight
different species to prosper in different
environments. Exhibits demonstrate how a
chameleon changes colour, how a giant squid
propels itself through the ocean and how visitors’
reflexes compare to those of a housefly.
(28 March – 8 November 2009)
The Horniman Museum has three main collections:
Natural History, World Cultures and Musical
Instruments.
The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill,
London open 10.30am to 5.30pm daily
Go to www.horniman.ac.uk or call 020 8699 1872
How the Incredible Human Body Works by the Brainwaves
by Richard Walker and illustrated by Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swirling
(ISBN: 978-1405321747 – Dorling Kindersley)
In this book, miniature guides, “the Brainwaves” take you on an exciting trip around the body where you will
witness a fight against an invasion of horrible toxic bacteria, dodge squirting digestive juices, and take a
white-knuckle ride on red rapids of gushing blood. It has wonderful fold-out pages which reveal exactly
what’s happening inside you and allow you to explore all the important bits, and how they work. The art work
is magnificently detailed and the book as a whole is fun and informative and a great way of getting children
interested in the science of the body.
The Big Book of Science Things
to Make and Do
by Rebecca Gilpin and Leonie Pratt
(ISBN: 978-0746080382 – Usborne Publishing)
This book, the winner of the Royal Society’s junior book prize in 2008, is a great
way of getting children interested in science at home. With activities including
bubbling wizard’s brew, magic flowers, panpipe straws, a spinning paper
helicopter and a light catcher it will appeal to all children whatever the age or
sex. Not only does the activity book use
simple and safe materials with step-bystep
instructions and illustrations,
but each activity is also accompanied
by a simple explanation of the |
science involved.
The book also includes 800 stickers to
decorate the projects with; an absolute
winner for keeping the children involved.
SING AWAY THE WINTER BLUES
Elizabeth Cole discovers that you don't have to be old to rock
Kindermusik
Courses for singing, music and movement run all
over the country by enthusiastic teachers who are
dedicated to instilling in children the love of music
from an early age through their happy and energetic
classes.
www.kindermusik.co.uk
West End Stage
This London organisation runs superb summer
schools based around West End theatres for
children from age 8 upwards. Specialist sessions
in singing and musical theatre available, including
master classes, with chance to perform on stage.
www.westendstage.com
Baby Loves Disco
This craze of afternoon dance parties for kids aged
6 months to 7 years from the US is quickly
spreading UK-wide. Feel good tracks by Heart radio
djs, bubble machines, instruments, a chill-out room
with tents, books and puzzles, healthy snacks and
lots of dancing brings kids together with kids and
parents and parents together with parents – a good
old boogie guaranteed for all . . .
A Baby Loves Disco CD is out on 2 March, featuring
non-stop club classics plus some trendy young and
fresh tracks thrown in to keep both you and your
children on your toes.
www.babylovesdisco.co.uk
Born to Rock
Wear the right gear – inspired by music and pop
culture, Rockabye-Baby is a kid’s clothing label
launched as an antidote to pink and blue overload
by a frustrated British mum for “funky parents who
refuse to give in to mainstream cute.” Tshirts,
dresses and babygrows are available for newborns
up to six years.
All this, and the clothing comes packaged in a
10 inch record sleeve!
www.rockabye-baby.com
Music House For Children
The Music House for Children’s philosophy is that
“music should inspire for life”. The music school, based
in Shepherds Bush, offers a packed itinerary of
workshops, group instrumental tuition for older
children and music and movement programmes for
toddlers and young children. Classes include Baby
Music for 0-3 years which incorporates songs,
movement, percussion, brightly coloured puppets
and scarves to get children started and Bush Kids for
3-5 years with musical games, singing, dancing and
instrument playing to have fun and learn the language
and symbols in music.
Check out their CD, A Little
Birdsong, which includes ideas for how to engage
the children and adapt the songs for different ages.
www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk
Singing
www.folkineducation.co.uk - Simon Nicol of
Fairport Convention has a great site where singing
games can be sourced. Take a look. Based in the
North West
www.sussexvocalacademy.co.uk – Sussex Vocal
Academy runs singing activities for all ages in
the South.
www.fcmg.org.uk – Finchley Children’s Music Group
based in North London for the past 50 years, has a
number of choirs and singing events for young
children to participate in.
Performing
www.stagecoach.co.uk – Stagecoach has over 700
franchised theatre schools throughout the country.
For three hours a week, students can attend classes
in dance, drama and singing. Children learn to
express themselves, gain poise, self-confidence and
self-awareness, all whilst having fun.
www.perform.org.uk – Perform classes and weekly
workshops aim to build children’s confidence,
improve concentration and give them a creative
outlet. They have courses in singing; Mini P’s from
age 3 months to 3 years, Perform, age 4-8 years,
Perform Plus, ages 8-12 years