Kids London Guide

To celebrate the arrival of a family of rare Gentoo Penguins and the opening of its NEW Ice Adventure, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is declaring a week of Penguin Pandemonium this May half term. As well as the chance to get up close to the real gentoos and explore an Antarctic research station, there will be plenty of family friendly fun and the chance to outwit the loveable Professor Penguin.

Watch out for the cute and cuddly – and extremely brainy – bird and try and outsmart him with on the spot, rapid fire, 60 second “fish quizzes”. Guests are invited to ask him anything they ever wanted to know about all things fishy and see if they can beat the prof. He’ll also be teaching little visitors how to waddle like a penguin and the best could be in for surprise treats and spot prizes!

Plus there’s a whole icy Antarctic landscape to explore with a real ice wall, freezing touch pools and the chance to come face to face with some of the harshest continents hardy inhabitants including giant Japanese Spider crabs – and of course, 10 acrobatic Gentoo Penguins. And there’s a whole aquarium full of amazing marine creatures – from rays to rare giant green turtles, exotic tropical fish to the colourful residents of the Rainforests of the World and a thrilling shark walk right over the home of 11 species of shark.

Penguin Pandemonium will run at SEA LIFE London Aquarium from 28th May – 5th June with great value family tickets from £54. Situated on the banks of the River Thames in County Hall, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is open 10am-6pm (until 7pm Friday-Sunday) 7 days a week. Check www.sealife.co.uk/london for full details.

Chocolate eggs are nice, but not very exciting to look at. So this Easter skip along to WWT London Wetland Centre to see the duckling displays during which you can follow the progress of real-life Easter eggs. See ducklings developing inside their shells at ‘egg candling’ demonstrations. The technique is called candling (although candles are no longer used) because it involves shining a bright light onto the egg so you can see through the shell to discover how the duckling is developing.

When the ducklings have hatched, watch them taking their first swim in their very own pool. WWT wardens will be on hand to explain how the ducklings have developed and about their behaviour and habitats.

To keep your own brood amused during the school holidays you can also take part in the family activities at the London Wetland Centre. Take a self-guided Easter Egg trail around this beautiful wildlife haven to learn more about courtship displays; make your own fingerprint blossom picture or decorate eggs in the spring craft workshops or, for those with a sense of adventure, join in the scrap challenge.

April is the time when wild ducklings start to hatch. Fat, fluffy mallard ducklings chase after their mother across the ponds in the sunshine and stripey Great Crested Grebe chicks hitch a ride on their parents’ backs (right).

As warm sunny days become more frequent primroses poke their noses above ground, willow branches are decked in their soft, shiny catkin baubles and the first lizards wake from four months asleep. Other floral highlights at London Wetland Centre are daffodils, marsh marigold, blackthorn, colt’s foot, blue anemones, sweet violets and common field-speedwell.

The Easter duckling displays and family activities take place from Saturday, April 9 until Monday, April 25. For full details of events and times see www.wwt.org.uk/london

A new wax figure of teen sensation, award winning singer and social media king, Justin Bieber will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds London this March!

Justin gave sculptors a sitting late last year in New York where hundreds of precise measurements were taken, the figure then took four months to complete at a cost of £150,000. Justin’s figure will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam and New York on the same day.

The 16 year old star’s figure will be “headlining” in the interactive music zone where guests can step on stage with a host of major music stars from Lady Gaga to Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix to Michael Jackson.

This February half term families can enjoy plenty of movie star fun at an A-list party full of some of the biggest Academy winners and nominees at Madame Tussauds London. As the film world prepares to go Oscar crazy, guests can indulge in some interactive red carpet fun by matching the glamorous leading ladies with their most famous Award Ceremony gowns. They can also practice their acceptance speeches alongside the likes of previous “Best Actresses” Dame Helen Mirren and Nicole Kidman, “Best Actors“ Morgan Freeman and Mel Gibson; and even get their own personalised Madame Tussauds Award!

And after posing with your favourite Hollywood star there is plenty more interactive experiences to enjoy. From posing with Lady Gaga to standing outside Number 10 with Prime Minister David Cameron, joining Britney Spears on stage to taking part in a penalty shoot out with Ronaldo! AND let your little heroes try out the heroic Marvel Super Heroes 4D. Three themed floors bring to life some of Marvel’s best loved heroes through a mix of fun interactives, startlingly realistic Madame Tussauds wax figures and an awesome 4D film finale. There’s really something to amuse the whole family at Madame Tussauds this half term.

Madame Tussauds is open seven days a week from 9am with last entry at 6pm. Tickets start at £14.40 with discounts for online booking. For further information check out www.madametussauds.com/London