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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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  • Seven London cafes with decent-sized play areas
    Seven London cafes with decent-sized play areas
  • Seven of the coolest independent children's shops in London
    Seven of the coolest independent children's shops in London
  • Become a postie for the day at Sorted!, The Postal Museum's play space
    Become a postie for the day at Sorted!, The Postal Museum's play space
  • 100 cool things to do with babies and toddlers in London
    100 cool things to do with babies and toddlers in London
  • Seven amazing independent children's bookshops in London
    Seven amazing independent children's bookshops in London
  • Twenty awesome things to see and do with your little Londoner in December
    Twenty awesome things to see and do with your little Londoner in December
  • Enter the world of our most marvellous writer at the Roald Dahl Museum
    Enter the world of our most marvellous writer at the Roald Dahl Museum
  • Take a break from shopping at Westfield's questionably named Playworld
    Take a break from shopping at Westfield's questionably named Playworld
  • Unleash their creativity at Under Fives Explore the Gallery at Tate Britain
    Unleash their creativity at Under Fives Explore the Gallery at Tate Britain
  • Indulge their inner Scandinavian with stylish toys and threads at Scandi Mini
    Indulge their inner Scandinavian with stylish toys and threads at Scandi Mini

Bablands on Instagram

It’s day 16 and today we’re giving away tickets for two adults plus kids to a @wakeupgigsldn gig of your choice in the new year. Wake Up Gigs are, very simply, live music events for people with children - people who still want to see great bands but who generally come with a small, loud, persistent limpet attached to them. Limpets are well catered for at these events, with soft play, album cover colouring in and face-painting to name just a few infant diversions. Coincidentally we’re heading to a WUG today, so make sure you check out my stories tonight for a better idea of what to expect. If you fancy it, simply make sure you’re following Bablands and Wake Up Gigs, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 17th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
What a miserable bastard of a day. I actually forced myself (and Babu) to stay in for the duration (not counting the 700-odd trips downstairs - and outside - to sign for parcels that weren’t even ours 🙄). We had friends over, I caught up on some writing and Babu watched a LOT of Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, which at 31 weeks pregnant with chronic back pain, constant acid reflux and the lung capacity of a wasp I don’t even feel slightly guilty about. We’re definitely going to be having more days like this in the foreseeable. PS I’m STILL picking lumps of flour out of Babu’s hair five days and four hair washes after our last @afinemessuk session 😑 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #northlondon #archway #afinemess #messyplay
Another day of Babvent and another prize I want to keep for myself! The prize behind window 15 is a beautiful child’s beret by the amazing London-based @lalaandpom . Worth £30, the beret is made from finest felt wool in violet with a luxury, hand-stitched pom in brown bear faux fur. Please note the beret is a size small, circumference 52cm. To win, simply make sure you’re following Bablands and Lala & Pom, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 16th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
We went to see the @museumofarchitecture ’s Gingerbread City at @vamuseum yesterday (although according to Babu she made the whole thing herself). It’s actually a lot more child-friendly than I’d expected - you’re not really supposed to touch the gingerbread but the staff were pretty relaxed about it when our toddlers inevitably did. Also it’s so pretty! It will be in the Creative Studio on level 4 until 6th January and you can combine your trip to see it with a 12 Days of Christmas-themed Festive Play Session for Under-5s if you visit next Wednesday-Friday (sessions are 30 mins long and take place at 11.30 and again at 12.30). Such a cute, Christmassy day out 🎄 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #victoriaandalbertmuseum #southkensington #gingerbreadcity
It’s day 14 of Babvent and today we’re giving away not one, not two but THREE tickets for a Mums & Babies (6 weeks to crawling) or Mums & Toddlers (10 months to 4 years) Yoga class of your choice at @thelifecentre in Islington. I’m so excited about this prize - the toddler class is one of mine and Babu’s absolute favourites and @ayalayoga who teaches it is one of the nicest people ever, so you’re in for an absolute treat. To win, simply make sure you’re following Bablands and The Life Centre, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 15th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting THREE WINNERS. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
Each morning when we leave the flat Babu tells me I can let go of her hand while I lock the door “because you don’t have three hands”. It’s true, I don’t, but, without making a lame dad joke about giving my right arm for another pair of hands (which I sort of just did anyway 😕), some days I really wish I did have a third hand - that or some kind of Mr Tickle scenario. Roll on Christmas (and having several other pairs of very helpful hands around) 😬 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #southlondon #brockley
It’s day 13 of Babvent and today’s prize is a pair of tickets for you and a mate to take your under-1s to a @babbletalks talk of your choice in Balham or East Dulwich. Presented by expert guest speakers, Babble Talks aren’t about parenting - instead they offer new parents a chance to flex their intellectual muscles and focus on something other than their baby for an hour (although obviously they’re invited too). We caught a bit of a talk entitled Jurassic Park: Could it Happen? at a festival this summer and it was absolutely brilliant. If you fancy it, simply make sure you’re following Bablands and Babble Talks, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 14th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
Today we trekked to @space_at61 in deepest, darkest Nunhead for @minimakersgallery ’s monthly arts and crafts drop-in for 1-5s - and oh God it really is a trek for us North Londoners but so worth it for a really lovely afternoon. We made Christmas tree decorations, ate mince pies and read lots of festive books in the little play area. Everyone was so friendly and smiley, and we came home with some beautiful Bab-made gift tags. Full review coming soon ☺️ . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #southlondon #nunhead
We’re halfway through Babvent and today we’re giving away this beautiful Little Brother Matchbox Mouse by Maileg, which has been very kindly donated by gorgeous Blackheath kids’ shop @ottieandthebea , a purveyor of playfulness and creativity stocking a curated selection of toys, books, gifts, party supplies and tableware. To win this amazing prize simply follow Bablands and Ottie and the Bea, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 13th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
Best @afinemessuk yet yesterday! This is one of the few classes we return to again and again; it’s different every time (this session was the Snowy Mountain Special and next week’s is the Candyland Christmas Party) and so inventive. I love that there are no rules and the kids are free to make a hideous mess and shovel handfuls of porridge oats into their faces without a care in the world. Babu adores this session, even if we’re still picking lumps of flour out of her hair 36 hours later. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #northlondon #archway #afinemess #messyplay
*CLOSED* Behind Babvent window 11 we have a trio of beautiful festive picture books all very kindly donated by brilliant interactive kids’ book shop @pickledpepperbooks in Crouch End. The bundle includes Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht and Jarvis, The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker by Katy Flint and Jessica Courtney Tickle, and Maisy’s Christmas Tree by Lucy Cousins. To win all three, all you need to do is follow Bablands and Pickled Pepper Books, and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 12th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
Mid-mark-making drop-in with @donalsturt at @tomatostudio_ yesterday. Such a lovely chilled day drinking tea and watching our kids paint and draw. Donal and Laura are planning more of these free, free-flow workshops so keep an eye out for dates if it sounds like your kind of thing. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #eastfinchley #artwithkids #montessori
*CLOSED* It’s Babvent Day 10 and today’s prize is tickets for a family of four to see the 11am performance of Snow Baby on Saturday 12th January at @halfmoon_theatre in Limehouse. Devised for ages 3+, this magical show from @soapsouptheatre explores family, love and loss through the use of beautiful puppetry, imaginative storytelling and a stunning soundtrack. To win this fantastic prize, all you need to do is follow Bablands and Half Moon and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 11th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
I need to get a move on with my aesthetically pleasing Scandinavian-style monochrome soft-play room before I’m too knackered and enormous to move - and tbh I’m basically at that stage already. Now if only I could double the size of my flat 🧐 What’s the prettiest soft play you’ve ever seen? For me, ridiculously, it’s @gooseplayspace in my hometown, but The Play Spot in Finsbury Park is a pretty painless (if a bit garish) London option. . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon
*CLOSED* It’s the 9th day of Babvent and today we’re giving away a £28 voucher that’s been very generously donated by the @zapspaceldn indoor trampoline park in Stratford. The voucher is yours to spend as you like at the centre but will conveniently cover the cost of three Little Zappers 1-5s sessions for one child plus accompanying adults AND a pair of jump socks for you and your mini (check out our review in the activities section of the site for more info). To win this brilliant prize, all you need to do is follow Bablands and ZAPspace and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 10th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
Who else has been to the Good Grief! Charlie Brown exhibition at @somersethouse ? Anyone been to any other vaguely child-friendly exhibitions recently? So much to do before Christmas 😬 . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon #goodgriefcharliebrown #somersethouse
*CLOSED* We’re already a third of the way through Babvent and the prize behind window number 8 is my personal favourite - an amazing Lapin & Me Woodland Doll very kindly gifted by dreamy Hampstead kids’ boutique @maisonauguste . These collectible cuties were first produced in Japan in the early 1970s as squeaky toys for the local market and are still handmade in traditional independent factories in Tokyo today. To win this pink beaut all you need to do is follow Bablands and Maison Auguste and tag a friend who you think might be interested below (each tag = one entry). This competition is open until tomorrow, 9th December, at 8pm when I’ll be randomly selecting a winner. Good luck 😀 . . . . . . . . . . #adventcalendar #advent #giveaway #adventgiveaway #kidsgiveaway
I’ve never been so boringly, Britishly weather-obsessed as I am right now, planning entire days around the rain, cold and, a few months ago, blistering heat. It doesn’t seem so long ago that all I had to do was remember to take a brolly to work with me - now a whole day’s fun goes out the window over one grey cloud on my daily phone forecast. Just over a year ago I wrote a post entitled Seven Rainy-Day Hangouts for Accident-Prone Toddlers (I was also planning a heatwave version but failed to find enough air-conditioned options) and I’m thinking about updating it with a new list of recent discoveries for wet and wanky Wednesdays (or Mondays or Tuesdays). What are your go-to haunts on these damp, dark and dreary days? . . . . . . . . . . #bablands #coolthingsfortinylondoners #thingstodowithkids #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife #mummyblogger #parentblogger #londonblogger #londonmum #blogger #londonparents #londonmums #parentingtheshitoutoflife #london #londonmum #letthembelittle #londonunderground #visitlondon #babylondon

For Tiny Londoners & Their Adults

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