The whole “it’s a playgroup on a bus lol” thing is its initial draw, but this is one you’ll return to again and again.
Activities
I’m a bit of a yoga novice (read: shit) and had no idea what to do when we were told to “do your own thing” on the mats so I just sort of lay there like a dead fish.
With more than 50 interactives across the entire gallery, there’s plenty to keep tiny hands occupied.
Bab Dad took everything extremely seriously and began painstakingly icing anatomically correct innards onto a gingerbread man.
Owner Emily Ajasa has really tapped in to what adults are looking for in a tot-friendly cafe – i.e. not garishly hued plastic crap.
I will say that I’ve been to a lot of other great messy-play sessions that cost a fifth of the price of Artplay, but it was good, and very messy.
This month, pop along to pop-up performances, run riot in private squares and check out this summer’s most anticipated exhibitions.
Rachel (30) has been taking her son Oscar (5) to galleries since he was a baby. Her favourite artist is Yayoi Kusama, whose Tokyo museum she dreams of visiting.
I won’t pretend your toddler will be capable of operating any of the machines on its own, but older ones will have a giggle watching your reactions to this quirky cluster of contraptions.
Adam, AKA Bab Dad, has lived in Hampstead for two and a half years. He’s a doctor and dad to Bab, 2, and Margot the cat, 3.
bablands.com 