And, though all are seriously luxurious both inside and out, many are very family-friendly. We are thrilled that the lovely folk behind OnefineStay have kindly selected their personal family-friendly favourites in Los Angeles, New York and Paris, (plus one in each city for those of you craving a few days away without your gorgeous brood). Herewith, their picks……

LOS ANGELES

Cordyline House, Santa Monica

The homey open-plan kitchen is framed around a slab-top island and surrounded by comfortable, scooped wooden stools. With wide glass doors opening out to the picnic-ready patio just beyond the kitchen, you might prefer to eat al fresco in the gorgeous California sunshine. There’s a guest house and play room to discover outside, and inside the boy’s bunk bed is lined with treasures. Located in the gorgeous Santa Monica area of Los Angeles, you’re moments from the beach, too.

Lindemere Drive, Bel Air

At Lindamere Drive you’re in the heart of the iconic Bel Air neighbourhood. The poolside garden has magnificent views of Bel Air’s surrounding hillside terrain and the sun loungers and shady nooks are perfect for little ones. There’s a pizza oven and Argentinian grill for patio dining, while glass doors lead inside to the kitchen, which has a breakfast bar and farmhouse-style dining table. Past the dining space, there are two sleek sitting areas next to each other, both with quick access to the outdoor trampoline (always a smash hit with kids) and there are plenty of bedrooms so room for large families, too.

And if you’re in LA without your kids…..

Courtney Avenue II, Hollywood

A secluded home with shaded outdoor areas, this is only a few steps away from the shops and restaurants on hip and happening Sunset Boulevard. From the front sitting room (which will appeal to art lovers, for sure), there are intricate French doors, which lead to a quiet side patio. The kitchen is past the staircase on the left, and the dining room is to the right. There is a lovely garden, which has a covered deck, a barbecue and a heated pool. Upstairs, you’ll come first to the master bedroom, with a super king-size bed and window seat. The gorgeous ensuite has a roll top bath with a view of the back garden. Down the hallway is the third bedroom (stocked with children’s toys if you do visit, en famille).

For more ideas of where to stay in LA with your kids, click here.

NEW YORK

Gates Avenue Townhouse, Clinton Hill

Five floors make up this family home in the trendy Brooklyn borough of Clinton Hill. Entering at street level, an open-plan living space reaches back to the kitchen, with an arched window beside the dining area for eight. Up one flight you’ll find a ‘princess’ room, a smart sofa bedroom and a bunk bedroom, so there is ample children’s space. On the next level, adults have a floor to themselves and there’s a last, lofted bedroom above that. The basement makes this a real pull for families. There’s a pint-sized billiard table in the room with a red-chequered floor and leads out to the garden, where you can shoot hoops or catch rays, weather permitting – a rarity in New York.

Vanderbilt Avenue Townhouse, Clinton Hill

Located in the same gorgeous Brooklyn area of Clinton Hill resides the Vanderbilt Avenue Tonwhouse. With its unique mix of historic grandeur and artistic energy, this house fronts a sunny garden just beyond. The artistic and creative interior mirrors the bohemian haunts to explore in the surrounding neighbourhood and this gorgeous townhouse has plenty of room for families to unwind in at the end of a long day of New York exploration.

And if you’re in New York without your kids…..

7th Avenue Townhouse, Park Slope

Again, in Brooklyn, you’ll find this 7th Avenue Townhouse in the charming area of Park Slope. Many young families call peaceful Park Slope home, and with quaint storefronts and restored brownstones – 7th Avenue Townhouse among them – it’s easy to see why. The hosts of this home are regular travellers and their finds from abroad can be found scattered inside this gorgeous idyll. The mixture of tranquil blues, creamy whites and dark-carved woods make for a warm and cosy home that still showcase the property’s original details. And if you do venture beyond the walls of this gorgeous space, you’ll find Prospect Park is close enough to be your own private garden.

For more ideas of where to stay in New York with your kids, click here.

PARIS

Rue des Trois Freres, Montmatre

Located in the happening 18th arrondissement of Montmatre, the Rue des Trois Freres is in an area that has long been called home by artists and galleries. This property is no exception to that rule and the spacious interior of this home is crafted to aesthetic perfection. Each room is a canvas for modern art fixtures and designer wallpaper, from the abstract geometrics of the upstairs master bedroom to the pop art palms of the salon below. If you’re there with children it is ideal, too. The second single bedroom comes complete with a crib, a single bed, lots of children’s toys and it’s en suite, too.

Rue d’Amsterdam II, Montmatre

Also in the gorgeous artistic quarter of Montmatre is this family-friendly property on Rue d’Amsterdam. This apartment belongs to a family with two girls and a baby, and it was once the quarters of ten maids. Today, it is a bright, light family home. In the open-plan living room – beneath the vaulted ceiling and steel cross-beams – white walls and polished floors wrap you in a gown of light and space. Grown-ups will love the sophisticated furnishings, bold artwork and the views over the city, while boys and girls will be entranced by the child-sized details of their very own bedrooms.

And if you’re in Paris without your kids…..

Passage Saint-Antoine, Bastille

You can’t find yourself in an area of Paris more steeped in history than Bastille and this gorgeous property is fabulous if you’re there for a quiet (or party-filled) stay without the little ones. Bold, brilliant and beautiful, Passage Saint-Antoine is clean and crisp, yet avant-garde in spirit. Chances are you won’t be up at dawn for the market on Boulevard Richard-Lenoir if you’re there without a baby, but you never know. Either way, we suggest you stroll down to the river and the Île Saint-Louis before a long and languorous lunch at Chez Paul. This house literally sparkles and it’s the perfect launchpad from which to explore Paris or simply relax and totally unwind in some seriously sumptuous surroundings.

For more ideas of where to stay in Paris with your kids, click here.

The half term holiday is only round the corner but, fear not, if you’ve not yet booked there are still some excellent options available, both close-to-home and further afield. Herewith, some of our favourite half term holiday ideas for that delicious family week that punctuates the autumn and winter.

Far-Flung: Soneva Fushi Resort

Whereas some Maldivian resorts are designed for a quick ‘fly and flop’ experience, Soneva Fushi Resort is a destination in its own right. The island takes 45 minutes to circumnavigate by foot and, having been an island resort for over 15 years, the vegetation is lush and dense. The owners, Sonu (who founded Six Senses) and his wife Eva, have been involved every step of the way and they have embedded a sustainable ethos throughout. Within an hour of arriving at Soneva Fushi, shoes become obsolete and the barefoot luxury vibe will be fully embraced.

You’ll love: If sunbathing isn’t your thing, fear not. You can spend hours weaving around the island’s sand paths by bike past the giant banyan trees, there is a house reef full of marine life, beaches for all occasions, an outdoor cinema, a garden growing everything you could imagine, an observatory, a dive centre, a sensational spa, the yoga retreat and an eco centre. With seven dining options throughout the island and much of the produce made or grown on site, food is a serious past time. In between the fresh sushi and beachside BBQs, you’ll find yourselves lounging on your own private beach, snorkelling with a marine biologist, learning to free dive or enjoying sunset dolphin cruises.

Your kids will love: The kids’ club, The Den, factors in ‘family time’ throughout the day and children are made to feel very welcome throughout the entire island. Childcare is top notch, even when kids are too young for The Den which, for those old enough, offers everything from music lessons to snorkelling trips.  The Villa Suites are perfect for families, offering every luxurious touch you could want, whilst also feeling simple and calming. And they are big enough not to have to worry about a restless toddler. The outdoor saltwater pool offered the perfect respite to the afternoon sun and the upstairs terrace is a little haven for evenings spent stargazing.

To book this hotel, click here.

For other family-friendly hotels in the Maldives, click here.

Spa time: The One&Only Capetown

This might sound like a lot of effort (unless you’re based in South Africa, of course) but, remember, there is no jet lag when you head to Capetown from Europe, so it’s absolutely do-able over a half term. And, head to the city’s One&Only, you’ll be glad you undertook the flight. The swanky One&Only Capetown is a five-star resort that boasts 131 suites each with harbour or mountain views, three lavish penthouses with panoramic views and each room comes with personalised butler service. The resort itself has two purpose-built islands, one of which plays host to an award-winning spa and is conveniently situated close to a slew of retail, entertainment and harbourside activities. This One&Only offers endless facilities that will keep both parents and children well and truly occupied.

You’ll love: From Africa’s only Nobu restaurant where you’ll revel in outstanding Asian-fusion dining, to the Bastien Gonzalez Mani: Pedi: Cure studios in the hotel’s world-class spa, there are spoils aplenty.

Your kids will love: The OnlyKids club is definitely one of the finest on offer in the city. From daily excursions and activities for tiny tots, tweens and teens, to electronics and craft activities in the club, they’ll have a ball. They can even be chaperoned in the sprawling pool area, which will leave you with plenty of peace of mind. The spa has a child-friendly menu, too.

To book this hotel, click here.

For other family-friendly hotels in Capetown, click here.

City break: Ritz Carlton, Berlin

We’ve been hearing more and more good things about Berlin lately, especially for those traveling with young children and the Ritz Carlton is, without question, a fabulous five-star launch pad from which to explore the city. The hotel opened back in 2004 and, today, it’s deemed worthy even for a President, with Barack Obama and his family staying there during their visit in June 2013. No hotel is closer to the Tiergarten, Berlin’s equivalent to Central Park, which resides on one side of the Ritz Carlton. On the other is the busy Potsdamer Platz, where you’ll find fantastic restaurants, shops and even a large Legoland. Utterly spoiling, the Ritz Carlton pays very close attention to big and small guests, alike.

You’ll love: Take a seat at the hotel bar, Curtain Club, and order one of its refined cocktails, relax in the 24-hour spa or just stay under your fluffy eiderdown duvet and await brunch at the hotel’s own Brasserie Debrosses. Head out to one of the two cinema complexes at the nearby Sony Center or enjoy a bit of Beethoven at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the yellow-tiled concert-hall that is its home stretching into the sky within view from the Ritz.

They will love: Children receive special treatment at the Ritz Carlton and that starts right up from check-in at reception. They are welcomed with their very own child-size bathrobes and slippers, and invited to bake their own waffles or join a treasure hunt around the building. In addition, you will find a cosy play area and high chairs at the restaurant, Brasserie Debrosses. As there are no special pool times for children, it means they are welcome at anytime. Babysitting, prams, bottle warmers and extra cots are all available for guests on request.

To book this hotel, click here.

For other family-friendly hotels in Berlin, click here.

Close to home: Bovey Castle

The rooms and suites of the main house at Bovey Castle, a magnificent devon estate, are sure to thrill. Sumptuous, luxurious and extremely comfortable, they’ll suit you down to the ground. If you’re travelling with a large family, however, there is also the option of the three en-suite bedroom country lodges on the 4000-acre grounds of the castle. All housekeeping services are available, as they are in the main house, and the lodges sleep up to eight people. Each is self-catering, but also comes with a full lodge service menu so you can order whatever you want, at any time, and it’ll be delivered just like room service.

You’ll love: Food-lovers will adore the Edwardian Grill and the Castle Bistro after kicking things off with a tipple in the Oak Bar. The SUNDARI spa is fabulous and offers almost every treatment imaginable. If you’re spoilt for choice, take inspiration from their “treatment of the month.” Built in 1926, the 18-hole golf course is a championship course right on the grounds of Bovey Castle, and the activities on offer range from hot air ballooning to falconry, cider and sloe-gin making to clay-pigeon shooting and archery to air rifle shooting.

They will love: Bovey Castle is the first, and maybe only, hotel in the world to offer its little guests LEGO Room Service. Literally, everything from DUPLO to LEGO Star Wars is delivered in-room to children wanting a fix of Lego playtime. During half-term and school holidays, Bovey Rangers’ activities are arranged by the hotel for children aged between for 7 and14 years of age. Children learn survival skills, photo orienteering, apple pressing, archery and hands-on sessions with reptiles and owls, all under the watchful eye of supervised event-leaders. Little ones aged from 3 – 7 will happily play in the Bovey Castle Playroom, which is loaded with dressing-up boxes, painting materials, books and even baking facilities.

To book this hotel, click here.

For other family-friendly hotels in the UK, click here.

The River Cottage in Devon is a hub of glorious food, family and this August, it’s home to the fabulous River Cottage Summer Fair. The lovely team at The River Cottage host twice-yearly celebrations of the season and the upcoming Summer Fair, for those in and around the Axminster area on the Dorset and Devon border, will make a fabulous family treat. (If you don’t live in the West Country, we highly recommend you make a weekend of it).

On Saturday 15th August and Sunday August 16th, The River Cottage will be awash with activities and entertainment for the kids that include falconry, pig-racing and welly-wangling. There will be live music by night, cookery demonstrations in the cookery theatre, talks and tours, local food and craft market stalls, gardening tips and hands-on masterclasses by day. Aside from the obvious culinary highlights, children will adore the bouncy castle, puppet shows and garden games, as well as seeing the four-legged visitors that will be there from the charmingly named Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue Centre. And adults won’t miss out on the extra-curricular fun either: there will be blacksmithing, weaving, gardening lessons, farm tours and, our personal favourite: the Heron Valley cocktail yurt.

If you’re a fan of Hugh’s culinary prowess, or simply love the idyllic setting of his show, the Summer Fair will allow you a sneak-peek behind the scenes at River Cottage HQ where you’ll be able to meet the team, see the animals and the gardens (always popular with little ones) and enjoy the very best of what’s in season from the River Cottage food tent. Food and drink will be available all day and evening and the licensed bar will be serving local ciders, beers, wines and bubbles. If you aren’t there with really little children it’s well worth staying on into the evening when live music will play till late. “Joey the Lips” will kick start the weekend’s shenanigans on Friday August 14th, serving up some eclectic funk, soul, blues and disco. Saturday night will be overseen by “Tankus the Henge,” a foot-stomping six piece powerhouse of a band. Yes, please!

There is a full programme of events that stretch from mid-morning coffee and cakes whilst taking in the beautiful surrounding scenery through to dancing away to live music at the gig nights way beyond sunset. And if you’re not really local to the River Cottage, we suggest you head to Devon anyway; it is a stunning place to enjoy a family break this summer. From the boundless beaches and cobbled village lanes, the incredible local food (the southwest is considered by many to be England’s larder) and the array of family activities, the River Cottage Summer Fair can be enjoyed either side of long, lazy walks and gorgeous family-friendly accommodation.

The River Cottage Summer Fair will take place both days from 10am-4pm and costs £12.50 per adult. Children under 12 years go free.

The Gig Nights are from 6pm-10.30pm and cost £15 per adult.

For more information and for bookings visit www.rivercottage.net/summerfair, 01297 630 300 or email rcevents@rivercottage.net

Phone (01297 630 300) or email rcevents@rivercottage.net

Gloria Molins founded trip4real in 2013 and it’s been a soaring success from day one. A site that allows users to book bespoke holiday experiences with locals in countries across Europe, the section for families is definitely worth checking out if you’re after something completely different. Gloria Molins chats to kodomo.com about the continuing growth of her business and why it’s proving to be such a success.

Can you please talk us through trip4real. How did the idea come about and how do users seem to be reacting to it?

I have always loved to travel, and I think the most magical moment when you go abroad is connecting with a local who can take you somewhere unknown; that’s when you really get to know a place and discover the culture. I’m also very entrepreneurial and wanted to set up my own business, so it made sense to combine that with my love of travel. I decided to create trip4real as a way for travellers and locals to have a community in which to connect and discover the true essence of a city together. It’s a much more intimate way to travel and see the world. If you try trip4real the next time you go exploring with your family, I promise the experience will change your perspective and introduce you to a local world you never would have expected. We have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction since launching in Barcelona in 2013, and earlier this year we expanded to London, Paris, Rome and Lisbon, and just recently we launched Edinburgh and Dublin. We now have over 30,000 users around the world, and more than 4,000 experiences available in seven different countries. It’s so amazing to see the growth of the business and hear the personal stories from people who have enjoyed trip4real experiences on their travels.

Where are the top three places that you would recommend for a family holiday?

I think Barcelona has something for everyone and I’m not just saying that because it’s my home town. Catalunya is so rich in culture, art and natural beauty. For families, it’s perfect because you have both the sea and the mountains. You can rent a holiday home up the coast in Cadaques, and your kids can go on a pirate themed treasure hunt with other kids and explore the local history together.

Pirates tour, Cadaques

Outside of Catalunya, I think Portugal is an amazing place for a family trip. The size of Lisbon is perfect for a weekend escape and it’s walkable, which is great for families with younger children. Plus, the coast is amazing for swimming, sailing, playing in the sand, hiking and renting bikes. It’s affordable and the locals are friendly, passionate and so full of life. The pastry and sweet culture doesn’t hurt either.

When I was a child I spent a lot of time on the Spanish island of Menorca. I suppose I’m especially attracted to the sea, and I like the idea of kids being able to really run about and be free on holiday. I think without the city stresses, there’s more bonding time and active time for families to have adventures together and get to know the spirit of the people who live there. Why not hang out at the local ice cream shop and listen to the story of the man who built it?

Hannah and her family enjoying a day out on the farm in Catalunya

What is your first childhood memory of travel?

The first family trip (or at least the first I can remember) was a trip to Paris. I was six and my sister was eight; we stayed there for four days, wandering around the city, dining out, we visited all the museums, the latin neighbourhood, ate Nutella crepes and I even got to “hold” the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero! I remember finding it so exotic. I couldn’t sit still.

Do families with children use trip4real regularly and, if so, what type of experiences do they book? What are the favourite experiences for kids?

Yes, families are loving trip4real. It’s a great way to find activities in a new place and the nice thing is that our tours are bespoke and personal, so there’s room to tailor most activities based on the needs of each individual family. One of my favourite experiences for kids is in Barcelona where you can spend the morning with a shepherd and his family on a farm, with local stories followed by brunch and time with the animals. Another fun one is a visit to a vineyard, where parents enjoy wine tasting while the kids are led by an actress who transforms the tour into a theatrical experience: it is so creative.  And in Rome, we have a hugely popular gelato-making experience, which kids and parents adore. It’s all about creating memories and unique experiences to share with locals and your family.

Can you talk us through a typical day in your life? Can you paint us a picture from start to finish?

I wake up at 7am, then I shower, drink tea and do my morning exercise. This is followed by reading emails and planning the day ahead of me. The morning is when I do the most important things of the day, such as calls, meetings, emails, planing and so on. After that, I walk to the office where I work with my team and have a quick lunch about 2pm. If I have meetings, I try doing them early in the morning or late in the afternoon from 5pm, so that I have the middle of the day to concentrate and get things done without interruptions and with maximum focus. At 8pm, I go swimming (water is one of my passions in life) and I eat dinner about 9pm. The evening is very much about reading, talking, laughing, exercising or relaxing. I don’t have a television at home.

Sian Gwilliam launched the fantastic website Creative Bus Stop to share her passion for the incredible cultural, creative and educational activities that are available in London and around the UK. She gave us some fantastic ideas for London fun last summer and she’s back with us again to chat what to do and where to go this half term and upcoming summer holiday.

1. Go Green at the Plantastic exhibition at The Horniman Museum

It’s the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, and for those in the know, Dan Pearson who won ‘Best Show Garden’ for his stunning Chatsworth Garden started his career in gardening when he was 5 years old, helping his Dad dig a pond. So let’s take inspiration from him, and visit the Plantastic exhibition at The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill. From May 2015, Plantastic will be accompanied by specially designed and themed outdoor displays including a mass planting of sunflowers, a floral picture of the ‘anatomy’ of a flower, and a border themed around plants that attract pollinating insects.   Between 11-2.45pm daily in half term, join in the free craft Family Art Fun sessions too. A family ticket for the exhibition costs £16.50, so take a picnic and make a day of it.

2.  Join Alice and her Queen of Hearts in a Bethnal Green Wonderland 

In celebration of 150 years of this enchanting book, there are a range of Alice in Wonderland events happening around town this Spring. You can choose from free drop in daily events at our favourite museum The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, such as Storytelling at 10,30.11,15 and 12pm, or Mad Hatter’s Hat Making 10.30, 11.45, 14.00, 15.15 or join artist Miriam Baez to create a bonkers hat inspired by wonderful images and imaginings from Alice’s world£5 (with parent or carer / Sign up on the day / For ages 5-12. Not forgetting the Playing Card Print Workshop at 11.15, 12.30, 14.30, 15.45.The Alice Look will run from May 2 – November 1 2015 at London’s V&A Museum of Childhood.

There is also the show ‘Adventures in Wonderland’ in the Waterloo Vaults SE1 7NN (runs until August) for ages 5-11 . Les Petits invites the audience to find Alice and Wander through Wonderland in a fun-filled, interactive adventure for all the family.Cost: Adults £18.50, Children £12.50. If you’re still hungry for tea and cake after that lot, look out for the family opera Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in Holland Park from 16th July – 1st August and then Damon Albarn’s Wonder.land musical for the National Theatre, in Manchester 29th – 12 July which moves to London from 27th November 2015.

3. Put the Spark back into Electricity at the Royal Institution

Join Marty Jopson at the RI’s half term family event Zap, crackle and pop! Marty is the BBC One Show’s resident scientist and during the show he takes a journey through the story of electricity . From the Ancient Greeks through to Faraday’s genius, the show aims to put the spark back into electricity. A show chock full of demonstrations and a plucked chicken. Expect an electrifying performance in this family-friendly show. Thursday 18 June, (18:00 –19:15) Booking essential : Prices; Standard £12/ Concession £8/ Associate Members £6.

4. All Aboard the Cutty Sark Museum

As far as days out in London go, heading to Greenwich has to be high on the list. It’s easy to get to by public transport (Jubilee line, boat or DLR) there’s the food market which is real tasty, and then you can choose from the Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Theatre, The Queens House, or just grab an ice-cream in Greenwich Park.

To get you started why not start at the Cutty Sark. You can choose from free half-term events, and join them on a voyage of discovery on Cutty the world’s last surviving tea clipper. If you love hands-on activities, come and design your own weather mobile to take home or create a colourful fish on a dish. Under-5s go free to Cutty Sark and parts of the Royal Observatory. Entry to the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House is free.

This Bank Holiday weekend only you can join The Big Swing Dance On the Gardens & Vintage Market in Cutty Sark Gardens. It runs from May 23rd-25th from 11am – 6pm every day. Featuring swing dance lessons conducted by The London Swing Dance Society and The Shag Pile dance team. (Shag Pile Lessons from Sat 23rd 12-2.30pm/Sun 24th 12-5pm/Mon 25th 12-2pm) who will be bringing their exuberance and passion for all things swing to the gardens with a heavy emphasis on fun and good times to get everyone going! If you’re a pizza lover, you can’t go wrong with a visit to our favourite double decker pizza bus The Crust Conductor. They serve bespoke wood fire pizza, which really are made with cheesy love. If you want an extra helping of mushrooms, just mention the Creative Bus Stop, and ask for Jonny (the boss) and you will get treated like pizza royalty.

5. Take a Graffiti Tour

We really can’t get enough of the infectious graffiti art that keeps popping up all over town, especially around Camden, Shoreditch and the famous Southbank Skatepark. If you want to be down with the kids, you should book on a Camden Street Art Tour. They run all year long, and this half term they are running on Bank Holiday Monday (Am & PM), Thursday morning, Friday (AM & PM), Saturday morning and Sunday AM & PM). The amazing thing about these tours, is that each one is timeless, as due to the nature of street art, the art keeps reinventing itself. Remember the first rule of Street Art : ‘It’s not meant to last forever’. (£15 per ticket, suitable for all ages). EXCLUSIVE TO KODOMO AND CREATIVE BUS STOP READERS –  ENTER SAVE20 ON CHECK OUT AND GET 20% OFF YOUR TICKET.

6. The Southbank Loves You!

As hard as I try, it’s almost impossible not to share the love from the constantly changing line up of events that our Southbank Centre puts on for us all.  I recommend you arrive by foot (and scooter for the tiny tired legs) and either plant yourself near the Southbank Centre which is full of free tap water at the bar, and clean loos for the kids.  You can eat at one of the many chains (Wagamama, Eat, Giraffe, Canteen or Yo Sushi) but the queues are often long. To avoid the queues and a hefty bill, we always pack a few bagels and water for the kids, and venture to the food stalls at the Southbank Centre Market situated behind the Southbank Centre (Waterloo Station side). It is the most adventurous way to eat.

Shows

As it would be shy of me not to tell, here is the round up of Summer events you will find at your finger tips around the Bank of the South. Family Shows from critically-acclaimed theatre pop-up, Roundabout by Paines Plough, between the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Waterloo Bridge. Free events such as social dances, talks, workshops, and daily artistic activities. The iconic upside-down purple cow, the Udderbelly Festival (until 19 July) showing comedy, circus and family shows including the return of the popular show Bromance (24 June – 19 July). And (deep breath) London Wonderground(until 27 September) the festival renowned for showcasing the best circus and cabaret from across the world in a magnificent 1920s Spiegeltent. A major exhibition Carsten Höller: Decision, which will present a wide range of the artist’s work, including sculptures, installations and videos, which explore perception and decision making. The Poetry International Festival (23 – 26 July), the biennial festival co-founded by Ted Hughes in 1967. Meltdown (17 – 30 August), whose director this year is the multi-award-winning musician David Byrne, known for his eclectic collaborations and as a co-founder of the seminal new-wave band Talking Heads.

Eat

Bleeker St. Burger, recently rated the top 10 street food stalls in London, ) serving burgers, American Craft beer and milk-shakes, the return of SNOG frozen yoghurt sold from a restored pink 1967 Routemaster bus, Look Mum No Hands! serving coffee, fresh food and British Craft beer, and Bloody Oyster, serving oysters, Bloody Marys and cocktails from the top of a double-decker bus (situated between the Royal Festival Hall and Festival Village).

Play

You can’t really make a visit to London without getting your t-shirt very wet (towel essential trust me) and running through the popular fountain right outside the Queen Elizabeth Hall Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms. Take a walk up the curly staircase to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, or bring your bucket and spade to the urban beach beside the river, it’s an institution, and all the kids just adore it.

7.  Get Dirty Down at Fulham Palace

Have you ever been to Fulham Palace, you know the one which from around 700, (when the site was acquired by Bishop Waldhere), it served as a Bishop’s residence for over 12 centuries? I know you also knew that since Tudor times, the Palace was the Bishop of London’s country home, providing the Bishop and his family with a healthy rural retreat in summer months.

Well these days they not only look after the odd Bishop passing through West London, they also host lots of family events. On Bank holiday Monday (25 May between 1-4pm) you can join the Young Archaelogists Club (YAC) for a free drop in event (Ages 8+). Get your hands dirty and join the enthusiastic archaeologist volunteers on the Main Lawn for a hands-on session, introducing you to the world beneath your feet. There is also the Fulham Palace Fun Day, which is a free event on Wednesday 27 May, (10am-12pm and 1pm-3p). It will be a day of family fun including crafts, storytelling and dressing up! In partnership with H&F ALSS.

Looking forward don’t forget the annual Edwardian Garden Party on Sunday 21 June (1pm-4pm). The Bishops of London were well known for holding garden parties at Fulham Palace. Help them celebrate this tradition and come along for a day of family fun around the gardens. Take a turn on the swing boats, have your face painted, dance along to ragtime music and take part in some garden games and craft activities.

8. Join the Wild Network and Be A Wild Thing 

Project Wild Thing and The Wild Network is a people powered movement. The mission is simple to ‘reconnect kids with nature’.

It was born from the concern of a Dad called David Bond who became worried that his own kids’ waking hours are dominated by a cacophony of marketing, and a screen dependence threatening to turn them into glassy-eyed zombies. He was so worried he decided to create a campaign ‘Project Wild Thing’ and appointed himself Marketing Director for Nature. Like any self-respecting salesman, he enlisted the help of a number of bemused professionals, and began selling Nature to British families.

The film charts his humorous journey unearths some painful truths about modern family life. His product is free, plentiful and has proven benefits – but is Nature past its sell-by date? Watch the film, arrange a screening or even request a date for a Q&A with one of the Wild Thing team, who knows you could start a revolution in your own backyard, and all it would take is a launch party with a picnic in your local park.

Their website and App’s (for iOS/Andriod) give you hundreds of ideas of ways to have fun with nature. Or, you can download a free voucher on their site which promises that you spend time playing outside together (cute idea to put in a birthday card).

9.  Kiss A Hedgehoge in Hyde Park

This half term (and on other dates during the year) the award winning building that is the Isis Education Centre, bang in the middle of Hyde Park (to the north of the Serpentine) are hosting twoFREE Discovery Days dedicated to our much loved ‘Hedgehog Heroes‘. You can drop in any time between 11am and 3pm (on 27 & 28 May 2015) for a day of hedgehog themed activities including: Crafting a hedgehog from a paper plate, Paint or colour your own hedgehog picture, Learn to use radio tracking equipment (over 8s only), Help create a huge handprint hedgehog, Follow the Discovery Trail, to uncover prickly facts, Make a clay hedgehog and its very own habitat (for a suggested £2 donation) and finally learn and discover what you can do to help hedgehogs in your garden.

They also have an education day ‘Nature Explorers: Hedges & Hedgerows’ on Tuesday 26 May 2015: 10am – 3pm which is suitable for 8 to 11 year olds (15). Drop off at the Isis Education Centre for a fun filled (and educational!) day of outdoor games and activities this half term. Booking essential.

10. Theatre Tours and Puppet Theatre for your Little Angels

Please tell me you have been to The Little Angel Theatre in Islington? Not to be confused with the famous Little Angel pub in Henley On Thames! This Theatre is an institution in every way. Let me share a little of it’s history. In 1961 a troupe of enthusiastic puppeteers under the leadership of South African master, John Wright (Edgar Wright the film directors Dad), found a derelict temperance hall in Islington and transformed it into a magical little theatre, specially designed for children and for the presentation of marionette shows. It opened on Saturday 24th November 1961.

Today it hosts the most charming and well performed productions, as well as puppetry courses for kids and adults, and the cutest local summer parties right outside the theatre. Running until 28-June is The Paper Dolls. It is a show adapted from the acclaimed book by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson. The magical tale is brought to life through puppetry and music in this new co-production between Little Angel Theatre and Polka Theatre. Suitable for age 3 to 7. Though worth noting is that they hold baby friendly shows, for babes under 3 (mostly Thursday 10.30, Saturday 11am and Sunday 11am check diary). Call box office for more info. £12 / £10 children and concessions £1.80 booking fee applies to all card transactions. Friday Fives: all tickets £5 for shows at 5pm on Friday .