Kids today, eh? They don’t know they’re born. Not with the sort of half-term treats that are on offer next week.
Like free tickets up the amazing ArcelorMittal Orbit, that big read squiggle in Stratford. And dessert masterclasses and film clubs and immersive games.
But it’s not all about them (try telling them that!), there’s also a fondue festival, a hot new Indian takeaway that comes highly recommended and a pop-up vegan pizza joint in Soho. Fight it out among yourselves!
Swiss you were there…
If you have been lumbered with children – either for life or for half-term – we have something that might get them out of your hair for a few precious hours: a kids’-only dessert masterclass! Seriously, what child doesn’t want to go up to the elbows in cream and sugar?
It’s all happening in the kitchens of Haugen, you know the Stratford-based, Alpine-inspired restaurant and the session is run by the chefs (lucky them!) of that esteemed establishment.
And not only do they get to try their hand at cooking and take their apron home, they also get fed all for £20… As do you, with a £25 two-course lunch with a glass of wine! Everyone’s a winner.
February 17, 9 Endeavour Square, E20
Out of this world!
Remember the excitement when they unveiled the amazing ArcelorMittal Orbit, that huge red sculpture – the biggest sculpture in the country! – by Anish Kapoor for the London Olympics in 2012? And then remember how that thrill was quadrupled when they added an observation platform – yes, 80 metres up!
Now you can take the kids up to see the views of pretty much all of London’s landmarks, play on the touch-screen panels, selfie themselves in front of Kapoor’s concave mirrors and then take the 455 stairs down as you’re followed by a sound installation… for free if you buy yourself a ticket! Just enter code KGF22 at the checkout. Major result!
February 14-18, 3 Thornton Street, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20
Doing it for the kids
You wouldn’t normally want to see your children in a beer hall (we don’t want them repeating all our mistakes after all, do we?) but in this case we think it might be a good half-term solution.
Truman’s Social Club, the Walthamstow, yes, beer hall is running the Half-Term Kids’ Film Club, with everything from Paddington to Peter Rabbit on the big screens where they usually show the footie.
They’re even throwing in some Truman’s home-made popcorn for them to get all down themselves. Thanks for that.
And you can either stay with the kids or sample some (not all!) of the 20 beers they have on tap with £4 pints on Mondays. Or watch Peter Rabbit.
February 14-18, 1 Priestley Way, London E17
Bag a free holiday
It’s like the golden tickets thing in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory though instead of winning a tour of a boring sweets manufacturer, you get to go on your holibobs!
To celebrate the launch of WeRoad, a new travel company, and to mark the lifting of all travel restrictions, said WeRoad are hiding tickets for free holidays worth up to £2,000 around London.
Are they mad? WeRoad will reveal the secret locations at 4am on Friday, meaning the early birds really will capture the worm, and all you have to do is be one of the first ten people to find them, with £1,000-holiday vouchers for runners up. Then it’s off to Thailand you go! *sets alarm*
Friday from 4am
To boldly go…
Listen, the kids are going to understand this better than you do because they’re clever when it comes to technology but basically Electric Gamebox are helping you through half-term with – concentrate because here comes the science bit – patented technology to transport players into an immersive digital adventure.
But it’s not just for kids. Adults can join in on ten games that use projection mapping, motion tracking and surround sound to fully immerse you in the experience. We have no idea what they’re on about and yet somehow we’re sold on the whole thing.
Various locations
Unbrielieveable
The best part of skiing is clearly the fondue and drinks afterwards. Even Olympic skiers know that.
Now, you can have all the drippy cheese and booze you want without having to lug those ugly snow boots up and down slippery pathways to lifts at the South Kensington Fondue Festival put together by independent wine specialists 28-50.
Dip your bread in a variety of fondues (apparently, it’s a thing that if you drop your bread you have to take your clothes off. Just sayin’) while you sample wines from the Alpine region of Savoie in a three-course deal with charcuterie, walnut salad and dessert all for £39.95. We don’t mind if we do.
Tuesdays (booking essential), 28-50 South Kensington, 96 Draycott Avenue, SW3
Curry favour
Jhakaas is in fact the best new Indian takeaway in south-east London according to our south-east London correspondent. And she puts the word ‘fact’ and underlines it so you know we’re not playing.
It comes from the team behind Heritage Dulwich and it is apparently not your usual Indian takeaway but is designed like the urban cafes in your actual India.
They’ll even serve you a spiced Karak Chai while you wait for your order, if you’re going in. Otherwise order up one of three set meals featuring the likes of Punjabi butter chicken, lamb Rogan Josh, Saag Aloo, there’s even a whole vegan meal. You have it on the highest authority.
78 Brockley Rise, SE23
Fake it to make it
NXT LVL PZA? We thought we’d moved on from the whole leaving out vowels thing but seeing as this is Soho’s only all-vegan pizza place, we’re prepared to overlook it especially as it’s – diaries at the ready, though you should already have this – National Pizza Day today. Happy National Pizza Day!
To celebrate NXT LVL PZA have eight game-inspired toppings like the Pac Mac with Beyond Meat burgers, the Golden Nug with fake chicken nuggets and Violife cheese and the Spice Invaders with Verdino pepperoni slices, spicy roquito peppers and chilli oil.
Frankly, they had us at PZA especially with prices from £4! But it’s only a pop-up, so get those Veja trainers on and get down there.
68 Old Compton Street, W1
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