By Kate Hodges
28th June 2023
EVENT THE TOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
We’ve missed you! London’s Museum of Childhood reopens this weekend with a new name (Young V&A) and a fresh look and mission. This summer, head to Bethnal Green to be inspired by their versatile spaces, get creative and say hello to old favourites (we are have everything crossed that Robbie the Robot is back!) Get a preview this weekend, or plan for the opening party on Saturday 8-9, when puppeteers, artists, musicians and a large-scale physical installation by Leap Then Look will mark the museum’s return.
EVENT MINDS MATTER
The Balmy Army is a Manchester-based gang of young people, artists, madpride organisers and disability campaigners who have come together in an art and activism movement for better youth-led mental health provision. Over the next few weeks, they’re hosting a series of events that include theatre shows, discussions for carers and parties that climax in a ‘big and silly’ march for ‘less crap’ mental health support for young people. Part of the excellent Manchester International Festival 2023.
MAKE HOLD BACK TIME
Love dandelion clocks? We adore them, but they are so fragile and delicate. Luckily, the geniuses at Mud + Bloom are here to show you how to preserve them in a glass jar forever. Protected from wind (and children keen to know the time) they should last a long time. Bonus activities from the same brains; find out what happens when you submerge a dandelion in water and discover how to make dandelion honey.
EVENT SAIL ON SAILORS
The annual Tall Ships Races are coming to Hartlepool, and the city is holding a four-day free festival on the waterfront. Friday night sees Maxïmo Park topping the bill, while the Wailers top the bill on Saturday. As well as music, there is a giant pop-up ceilidh, an outdoor theatre and light show centred on the lighthouse, plus dance performances, art installations and fireworks. And there are the ships: nearly 40 signed up so far, some modern, some dating back as far as 1900. More information here
RECIPES AND DO THE POD SQUAD
It’s the Great British Pea Week, a celebration of the smallest, greenest, sweetest vegetables. Sitting in a garden, picking peas and popping them straight into your mouth is one of the greatest childhood pleasures. Why not grow your own? Find out how here. Or try a new, pea-based recipe – try our podful of fresh ideas that include pea, mint and lemon hummus and French bread pizzas with peas, tomatos and mozarella. Want to try something super-weird? Try making lime mint green pea ice cream. It shouldn’t work, but it’s refreshing and delicious.
WHAT WE’RE EATING Green Bean Noodle Salad Anshu Ahuja founded Dabbadrop with Renee Williams from their homes in East London. Here they share a lovely fresh zingy summer salad recipe. Find the recipe here
WHAT WE’RE READING The no-wash movement: would you wear underpants for a week without cleaning them?: “Do you need to wash your T-shirts after every wear? Probably not. What about your knickers? That depends. But more and more people are eschewing detergent to save time, money and the environment.” Read more here
Picture: Young V&A
