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For Tiny Londoners & Their Adults

Bablands is a resource for Londoners who find themselves with a small creature to dress up and entertain. Part-magazine, part-guide, Bablands follows the adventures of Bab as she seeks out London's coolest kids' shops, best child-friendly hangouts and under-fives activities that won't make mummy want to gauge her eyes out with a weaning spoon.

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Twenty awesome things to see and do with your little Londoner in August
Immerse yourself in a kitschy wonderland at House of Dreams
Seven London cafes with decent-sized play areas
100 cool things to do with babies and toddlers in London
Binge on matcha brownies and black sesame lattes at Toconoco Japanese cafe
Seven brilliant things to do in London with infants and child-free friends
Kick back in the Cubroom at Bear & Wolf, North London's coolest play cafe
Enjoy effortless family time at Purple Dragon's 'Little Brother' members' club
Savour a healthy lunch (and five minutes' peace) at Belsize Park's 36 cafe

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We’re having another one of these - hopefully not the exact same model because this one is really bloody hard work, but some kind of sibling scenario. Obviously absolutely shitting bricks about it and I’ve been so horribly ill with HG the last couple of months have been a bloody nightmare. Babu has had to witness me vomiting in a wide variety of situations, from squatting on a street corner to heaving into a carrier bag on the tube and about 700 times into our toilet, which she always insists on watching like I’m some kind of performing artist. It’s been rough as, but I think I’m pretty much over the worst of it and now I’ve stopped wishing I was dead I’m starting to feel vaguely excited about it, though obviously we’re still crapping our collective pants 💩 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon

Ed Ruscha-inspired bomb site at Messy Mondays, @national_gallery . We went last week and the studio felt rammed and stressful and hideous, then despite saying we wouldn’t bother again we somehow we ended up back there yesterday and basically had the place to ourselves and it was lush. I guess the moral of the story is people suck 😑 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #nationalgallery #edruscha

We had such a chilled afternoon at @wakeupgigsldn ’s Halfsies gig with @hoop_app at @acehotellondon on Sunday. Definitely my favourite one yet; loved the intimate rooftop venue and the amazing sets from @robgreenmusic and @onlygirlmusic , who Babu loved so much she ran up on stage during her set and shouted “BANANA”, which is pretty high praise tbh. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #shoreditch #acehotel #becauseparentsarepeopletoo #wakeupgigs

Babu is completely over paddling pools since the heatwave finally buggered off and it managed to piss it down twice while we were there but we still loved Little Feet: Get Splashy at @britishmuseum today. These sessions are always quite simple but I like that they’re free-flow and there was more than enough to keep Babu entertained for three hours, from parachute games to making many-eyed fish. I’m always on the lookout for these free drop-in events because the bookable ones always seem to sell out a month in advance. Hoping for lots of gallery-based sessions this autumn! . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #britishmuseum #littlefeet #getsplashy #bloomsbury #centrallondon

NEW! WEEKLY ROUND-UP. People often ask me for daily reccos so starting today I’ll be putting together weekly lists featuring one awesome activity every day. Hit me up for more info! •Monday 13th - Get Splashy at @britishmuseum ’s special outdoor Little Feet session. •Tuesday 14th - Hone your team skills at @nam_london ’s Parachute Games session for 3-6s. •Wednesday 15th - Drop into Newington Green’s new The Greenhouse coworking space for a special edition of @soundscreativeprojects Tots Tunes. •Thursday 16th - Head down to Lincoln’s Inn Fields and help create a model city inspired by @soanemuseum ’s postmodernist architecture exhibition. •Friday 17th - Get down to Dulwich for the first day of the eagerly anticipated @wildchildfestivals . •Saturday 18th - Get on your dancing shoes for @indiekidskids child-friendly indie disco at The Finsbury in Manor House. •Sunday 19th - Teach your tinies to ollie at @skate_pal ’s charity skateboarding event for all ages in Gillett Square, Dalston. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon

Babu is a million times more manageable with another person around. I don’t know whether it’s because she has a tendency to take her crappy moods out on me when it’s just the two of us or if it just feels easier when there’s someone to share the load with (or probably a bit of both) but I’m definitely a lot more chilled after a weekend of dual parenting. I know I’m such a whinger when it comes to my solo-parent weekends but OH GAHD it’s hard, especially after a difficult week. Last week we didn’t make nearly enough plans, which is always a mistake with Babu the activity sponge, so this week we’ve got plenty lined up to save us from insanity, from messy play in the park to splashy fun at the museum. What are you up to this week? . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #tatemodern #playingup #fierceplay

Yesterday we dropped into @tate Modern’s Fierce Play afternoon, a supersized version of its regular Playing Up drop-ins. Activities included blind football, walking your adult like a dog, dressing up as beasties and haircuts by children (yes, really 😬). Look out for more of these afternoons in my 20 Things lists or check Tate’s website for regular Playing Up dates at Tate Britain. . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #tatemodern #tatebritain #playingup #fierceplay

We stayed fairly local today because some days I really cba with public transport. We trekked miles, talked bollocks and laughed loads. We went where there was barely anyone else and didn’t let the rain bother us. I felt very *present* and *mindful* (these are things people say right?) and it was so nice not to have to deal with the tube or other people. I forgot how much I love the Pergola and all its creepy faded grandeur. It’s super close to Golders Hill Park with its playgrounds and mini zoo, and not far from Kenwood House, which is also mega kid-friendly. Babu is going through a phase of crying at everything and nothing - today it was because I can’t drive, I said no when she asked if I was hungry and I wouldn’t buy her the age 7 denim hot pants from Gap - but it wasn’t even stressful because NATURE. Yay for it 🍃 🍁 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #hampstead #hampsteadheath #nw3 #pergolaandhillgardens

Did you know @tate Modern used to have an under-5s area complete with musical slide, a miniature mirrored house with changing lighting schemes, plus tactile and visual interactives? It was also once home to an interactive children’s sculpture called Liminal. I’m always so annoyed when I hear about all this cool kids’ stuff that existed in London BB (Before Bab). Wouldn’t it be great if the big galleries had permanent spaces for little ones like some of the museums do? In the meantime we’ll just have to make do with Tate’s Under-5s Explore the Gallery and Tate Exchange workshops - which are both awesome by the way. . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #tatemodern #tateexchange #20days #immersiveart

We spent all afternoon at the new 20 Days @tateexchange workshop and it was so brilliant! Babu and Finn dressed up as superheroes, made frankentools, zoned out in the dark room, drew on the walls, ate breakfast in bed, sailed the ocean in saucepans and generally made a big old mess. This free drop-in session is on every Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm in Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building and is perfect for kids of all ages. Maybe watch the little ones with the cereal buffet though 😬 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #tatemodern #tateexchange #20days #immersiveart

New on the blog today, the creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, altogether ooky House of Dreams. I don’t often say this as an advocate of normalising taking your kids to galleries but I’d recommend leaving your under-fives at home for this one - not because it’s particularly un-child-friendly (I mean it is in the sense that it’s a terraced house full of breakables), but because you will need some time alone to digest everything. You’ll want to read the diary entries that adorn the walls, watch the documentary that explains it all and marvel at the beauty of everything. Your toddler, on the other hand, will want to dismantle things and throw them at your head. Adding this to the ever-expanding list of things to do on those elusive child-free days. Link up here 👆🏻 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #houseofdreams #art #eastdulwich #southlondon #southeastlondon

REAL TALK. Becoming a “stay-at-home” mum is hands-down the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. It can be completely exhausting, horribly lonely, deeply depressing and frequently boring. OBVIOUSLY it can also be utterly joyful and magical and rewarding and lovely. I know I’m lucky that I don’t have to work for the time being and I love that I get to spend every day with my kid, but some days I’d love to just go to work. Work was a bloody picnic in the park compared with parenting, which involves lots of picnics in parks but the kind that end in tears; where nothing I’ve packed is deemed edible; where spat-up sandwiches are thrust into my hand and only the crisps get eaten. When work rejected my flexible working application and the temporary bliss of maternity leave abruptly mutated into permanent nothingness, I knew I had to do something. A year and a half later and I am still “at home” (though mostly not at home), Bablands is still keeping me sane, and it makes me happier than you know when I hear that it’s also helped other parents, stay-at-home or otherwise, to quell the monotony of DIY childcare. I might not post as often as I used to since Babu stopped napping but there are still plenty of ideas to plough through on the site. I’m currently working on some new seven things posts and a new out-of-town section for those who prefer to get the hell out of here on a weekend. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #sahm #stayathomemum #haywardgallery #leebul #southbankcentre

Sometimes it’s just about homing in on your child’s niche interests and running with them. Babu is a shoes and accessories girl, so today she spent an hour in the @andotherstories shoe department trying on every pair of sandals, boots, trainers and heels she could get her hands on. Thankfully most people seemed to think it was more cute than annoying, and tbf she did tidy up as she went along. What weird stuff is your kid into? . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #carnabystreet #monki #andotherstories #shoes #oxfordstreet #soho

This little monkey has been absolutely heinous today - my punishment for putting her to bed at 10pm last night after getting back late from Margate. I’m always so interested to know how everyone else keeps their little ones occupied on stay-at-home days because mine does not cope well with them. By about 10am we’d exhausted every toy/activity we have and she’d resorted to whining loudly at my head, which became the theme of the day. We did an hour of reading at Waterstones and a Sainsbury’s trip, which she always finds thrilling, but as soon as we got back home she reverted to kicking and screaming. Is this normal? Have I created a rod for my own back with our daily cultural excursions or is this just two and a half? . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #margate #turnercontemporary

We had the most perfect day in Margate yesterday and it was so good to get out of London I feel like we’ve just got back from three weeks in the Maldives. Someone commented on my post the other day saying they’d like to see more out-of-London content because they like to escape on weekends. While it’s not always practical for us to jump ship given our lack of car/my lack of driving licence/Adam’s crazy work schedule, today made us realise that we can absolutely make it happen when we need to - and oh my God did we need to. I love London but it also makes me tired and grumpy and crazy, and I’d forgotten how key to our collective sanity getting the hell out of here occasionally is. If anyone has any out-of-town excursion recs hit me up! I’m going to be doing a mini Margate guide very soon with reviews of all the brilliant, child-friendly places we visited (including the amazing @turnercontemporary ), so keep your eyes peeled! . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #margate #turnercontemporary

Yesterday we copied @mamamimosaldn and paid a visit to Evan Ifekoya’s Ritual Without Belief installation at @gasworkslondon . The exhibition is a haven of air-con, squishy foam mattresses, mesmerising helium balloons and a hypnotic soundscape. Babu loved running up and sliding down the curved walls (not sure if that was really allowed) and I had a lovely lie down on some memory foam while she went off to get her nappy changed. A small but brilliant one for babies and toddlers - particularly on a baking hot day when all you want to do is lie down on the floor and scream. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #heatwave #airconditioning #gasworkslondon #ritualwithoutbelief #oval #lambeth #kennington #vauxhall

AIR CONDITIONING ❄️ That delicious modern convenience that seems to have somehow bypassed most of London’s toddler hangouts. Regardless, I’m collecting the few icy haunts that do exist for a new list - and I think you’ll agree it’s a pretty urgent one. This gallery at the bottom of the Tate Modern’s Blavatnik building is as cold as this snowy scene looks and was an absolute saviour in the 36-degree heat last week. I know @the_corner_house and @under1roofkids are also blessed with aircon but does anyone know of anywhere else? All suggestions welcome! . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #heatwave #airconditioning

I’m so into Nordic culture I’m basically Norwegian so I was kind of obligated to take Babu to the first of the @museumchildhood Nordic Summer Family Days yesterday. There we found a variety of activities dotted around the museum, from Nordic storytelling and drawing activities to interactive performances and totem-making, all inspired by Nordic folk traditions. Babu was in a right crappy mood and was only really interested in scraping around at the bottom of the now basically empty sandpit with a tiny rake (where has the sand gone?!) and lying on the cafe floor screaming, but it was quite a nice day nonetheless, and for the first time she actually noticed the glass cases and commented on the toys inside. MoC are doing four more of these Nordic days this month (every Thursday), with themes covering design in the home, fashion, nature, and ecological design. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #museumofchildhood #centuryofthechild #nordicdesign #brio #nordic

For Tiny Londoners & Their Adults

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