London Mums – Baby and Toddler Classes, Activities, Reviews

- Movement classes for babies and toddlers

Since the moment of creation, you’ve been focused on providing a nurturing and creative environment for the apple of your eye. A place where she can express herself freely and imaginatively.

You’re even willing to categorise those screaming sessions as ‘finding her voice.’ (And the temper tantrums? Put it down to artistic temperament.) Her moods, it would seem, are creative*.

But how about her moves? Make those creative too with these energetic, imaginative movement classes. 

From the age of 6 months, join a Creative Movements class where expert teachers will use your little darling’s natural movement as a foundation and introduce dance techniques, rhythm, stories and drama to inspire her imagination.

Choose a class to suit you – from baby moves, mums and toddlers, or storytelling classes and movement for older toddlers. Go on – see your little creation’s confidence cause a stir!

*or just creatively categorised by you! 

What Mini says:

Now that will be a big bang!

See the Creative Movements website for details of your nearest class and call to book your free trial. For older tots, there are also Summer workshops.

- Make Plans for a Sensational Summer

For a summer that’s fun-filled – fêtes and fairs, fabulous classes, days filled with family fun (think food, music, art and a little bit of culture too), there is only one destination : the Mini-et-Moi.com Summer Diary.

Enrol in Maggie & Rose’s Mini Matisse Art Class (for a little snip and stick collage-making fun); meet Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame) at the Design Museum’s Family Day; or enjoy Bloomin’ Marvelous – the Lyric Theatre’s suitably theatrical Summer Fete.

Even better – book for grannies, aunts, and friends in advance, and send them off with junior in tow. Baby-sitting is often less daunting with a pre-determined destination or activity – leaving you to enjoy those Summer days, drifting away.

Click here to work out what you should be doing in July. With our help, you’re sure to love your Summer!

Have you a blast!

What Mini says:

Tell me more, tell me more …

Something to add to the Mini-et-Moi.com Diary? Drop us a line at info[AT]mini-et-moi.com.

- Forays into fabulous philanthropy

When it comes to choosing which of my soon-to-be-world-famous works of art to display on her walls, my Mummy is like the proverbial kid in a candy store. So I shudder to think what a menagerie of mummies will be like when they meet up at the Art for Starlight do at the Saatchi Gallery.

Watch out, Damien. Tracey, be terrified.

My work will be framed and hanging on the walls. At the Saatchi Gallery, darling. Finally, the recognition I’ve been craving!

We’ll be congregating and creating at Maggie & Rose on 4 July. Suitably inspired by the works of American artist Kent Christensen and his obsession with all things candy (it’s important we chose a role model we could identify with, you understand) we’ll be laying some sweet lines (on paper). 

All works will then be professionally framed and exhibited at the Saatchi at the end of the Summer, and sold with proceeds going to support the Starlight Foundation.

Sounds like a sweet deal.

Can you sweet-talk your mummy into letting you join me?

What Moi says:

A (Maggie and) Rose by any other name would surely smell as sweet.

Maggie & Rose Art for Starlight is a unique new children’s project. In workshops over the summer, they will create artworks to be sold to support the work of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national charity which grants the wishes of a lifetime for seriously or terminally ill children giving the whole family happy memories to share and cherish, whatever the future holds. Over 70% of Starlight wish children go on to get better. Starlight grants 500 wishes a year and is hoping that with the funds generated through the Art for Starlight project it will be able increase its wish granting capacity by 20% -that’s 100 more wishes next year.

The Creative Confectioners Art Workshop for 2 – 4 year olds will be held on Saturday 4 July from 2-4pm at Maggie and Rose. The cost is £45 per child with all proceeds going to Starlight. The private view will take place at Saatchi Gallery on Saturday 26 September, followed by an evening party and auction of lovely lots including a one-off Rocking Horse decorated by Vivienne Westwood and a specially designed Starlight Porsche 911GT3.

- Shades for the Super Stylish

Hooray! The sun has got his hat on!

And so do you, along with your on-trend – and dare one say obligatory – Marc Jacobs retro shades. Afterall, big, bold, brightly coloured shades were all over the S/S 09 catwalks, and you’re not one to miss out on the fashionista’s must have item of the season.

Spare a thought for your little ray of sunshine who may want to make an equally stylish entrance.

Think bold and bright Baby Banz.

De rigueur for tots, they provide excellent protection for your little one’s sparklers, attaching neatly behind the head so you don’t need to worry about losing them. And they’ve been approved by the Melanoma International Foundation. Well, it’s not all just about the fashion (statement).

And, they come in an array of bright, sunshiney colours – with a retro range – so you can co-ordinate or complement, depend on the mood or the occasion. 

One for me and one for …  you

(It’s called sharing.)

BabyBanz (SSP £10) are available from online boutique MojoLondon or buy direct from the BabyBanz site.

- Saved by a Baby Book!

Mums on the run (is there any other kind?): take a leaf out of this book.

Pack a selection of Tiny Treasures in your handbag (naturally, of the most treasured Marc Jacobs variety) and head out the door confident in the knowledge that you can entertain your little treasure at a moment’s notice. On the bus. In the doctor’s waiting room. While waiting impatiently for your coffee (or junior’s babyccino).

Mini Treasures are a diminutive library of modern-day classic tales that are no bigger than a postcard. They’re super-portable and utterly desirable to small hands wanting to hold onto a bit of loot.

Miniature Mister Magnolia is marvellous at amusing Mini. And he’ll  be shouting Again! at the book of the same name. (Admittedly you may be groaning at the thought of reading it Again!). And classical scholars will revel in the nostalgia of Rosie’s Walk.

And at a mere £1.50 each, these tiny treasures certainly won’t break the … treasury!

What Mini says:

Pleasure, little Treasure!

Click here to see the full selection of Mini-Treasures.