Off the beaten path... atypical fun in London town

I find that I am always looking for some interesting things to do in London that are maybe not part of my family's "expected" ideas for fun in the city. Not that there's anything wrong with doing things that are part of the majority of family fun (heck, we go to the movies and chill at the park just as much as any other family!) but I thought I would scrounge up a few things to do in London that, maybe, some of us hadn't thought of doing with our kiddos, or feel like trying out with our kiddos that might turn into a fun time for all.  That being said, I might not cover all things, and maybe it won't be appropriate for the age group of your children, but keep an open mind, and give some of these a try!

Let's start with arts and crafts (since this is something that my kids and I really enjoy doing).

4Cats Art Studio:

Located in Byron (Southwest London), 4Cats art studio offers a lot of great classes for adults and kids alike.  They also have family nights for those that want to bring their kiddos, grandkiddos, nephews, nieces or  neighbour kids, along for some arts and crafts fun.  They specialize in painting, sculpting and pottery and offer themed classes for, what I consider to be, a reasonable price.  I am trying out a class next month with a friend and our daughters, so I will let you know how it goes.  They also offer private family sessions, where you can go and create a piece of art that you can do with your whole family.  A friend of mine recently did this with her two little ones and husband, and they created a very cool painting that now hangs in her home as a feature piece. These classes can also make a great gift for someone who is artistically inclined.  Lots of fun all around!

Paint Night:

This is a cool option for those that would like to try out painting with canvas, and have a little fun while doing it. There are many of these vendors that offer this service, but the one that I have heard quite a bit about is "Jesse Robertson's Keep it Colourful Paint Night" - find her facebook link here. Jesse offers a fun, relaxed environment that comes with lots of options (munchies, even dinner if you like!) and she is mobile, which means that you can pick the venue with her or attend one of her popular paint sessions at various locations around London. 

Museum London: Imagination Station

Did you know that two Sundays a month, Museum London (located at the forks of the Thames River downtown) offers a couple of hours of fun for you  and your little one for FREE? Its a great opportunity for families to go and looks at some of the art exhibits or displays that the gallery has to offer, plus create a little something yourself to take home.  How great is that? Check out more info here.

Sports/Adventure:

Boler Mountain:

If you're from around here, chances are you have been to "the bump" at least once in your life.  But this local London ski hill isn't just for skiing.  You can go tubing there too!  Lots of family fun to be had here, and then grab a bite to eat in their chalet.  Check out more info here.

London Escape Rooms:

I have not personally done this activity, but I've seen and heard a lot about it, and so far have only heard good things.  If you're looking for some puzzling adventures with your kiddos, head here to solve a mystery and escape out of one of the rooms in record time! Check out their facebook page here.

London Walks:

Do you enjoy going for walks with your family? Feel like meeting up with others? Check out these Saturday Morning Walks in Fox Hollow, Springbank park, Kiwanis park or other areas - meet up with other fellow hikers and grab some fresh air and a chat - they meet up regularly throughout the year, and it's free for all.  Check out more info here. (this link will take you to the Fox Hollow info page, but the click on the brochure found at the link for all available walks).

Music/Entertainment:

Jazz for the People:

Like Jazz? Want to introduce your kids to it?  Check out these FREE Jazz concerts available through the London Public Library system, running for the next few months! Click here for more info.


Original Kids Theatre:

Want to go see a play with your littles, but don't feel like going all the way to Stratford or waiting for something to come to Budweiser Gardens? Check out our local, youthful talent with the Original Kids Company - they have plays that our own youth from London practice and put on for the general public to enjoy.  A great way to introduce your family to some theatre, and maybe even get them involved in it!  Check out the link to the Original Kids Spring 2017 season  here.

Family Movie day:

Skip the big lines and new movie frenzy, and go to the Saturday morning Family Movie at Westmount Cineplex for only $2.99!! A family-friendly movie is chosen and you get to go experience the big screen for a fraction of what it would normally cost to see a feature flick. More details  here.


I could do a write up on so many more events and things to do around London that are out of the ordinary but I will stop (for now) as these few things can offer plenty of fun for you as a family! If you know of a regular event that happens around the city that's "off the beaten path" and fun, feel free to leave a comment below. I love reader input :)  Now get out there and have some fun, London families!

Have a great day, London

Takin' a walk on the wild (or not so wild) side...

This time of year always brings people out to the streets, parks and local outdoor places. Especially if you feel like taking a stroll. Walking is great for the whole family and there are so many neat places to explore in this city that, in many cases, can only be traversed by foot.  I highly encourage you and your little ones to explore a nearby park/forest in your area and see what it has to offer - you'll be surprised at how many beautiful pockets of woodland London has hiding amongst the buildings and nestled in neighbourhoods. 

Let's chat about the more public places for a minute.  London has so many parks!  Springbank Park down in Byron (South West London) is a big hit for walking/biking/rollerblading/skateboarding along the Thames.  It has lots of areas for soccer, BBQing, picnics, a splash pad and a few climbers for the kids.  It also houses the infamous Story Book Gardens, home of local London fun for the past few decades (see the link to StoryBook here).  There's Harris Park and Gibbons Park - both located downtown and great for more splash pad fun (splash pads open Victoria Day weekend and close Labour Day weekend).  At many of the parks you can find tennis courts (Gibbons Park being one of them), basketball courts, and always a picnic table area where you can enjoy some food and sunshine.  Local neighbourhoods have many Optimist Parks that house climbers for kids, more splash pads and even outdoor pools.  Check out the link to most of the major public parks in the city here.

Image courtesy of: www.london.ca

Feel like taking a walk through London?  There's a fantastic walk and bike path that offers you a leisurly stroll or a true hike through the forest city.  It basically starts in Byron (the neighbourhood located in South West London) in Springbank Park, and you can follow it all the way downtown and up to Western University.  There are beautiful views of the river, and lots of options for people that don't just feel like walking: You can bike, rollerblade, take your dog, scooter, or even skateboard(although  watch for the signs that warn you where it might be prohibited to use certain modes of transport depending on the part of the path you use).  Find the map to this bike path and more great places to hike here.
There are also so many gems of trails in our city that are lesser known and so much fun to walk! Medway Valley is a great place to take the kids and has breathtaking views of the Medway Valley Creek that has carved its way through the valley and meanders through gorgeous rocky precipices from Fanshawe/Wonderland area all the way to the Elsie Perrin Estates, down the road from Western University.  See a map of the trails here.  Be forewarned: Dogs must be on leashes and bikers aren't allowed here since the trails can be fairly narrow (I tried to take my kiddo in a running stroller through there once.  No dice.  It's best to take your itty bitties strapped to your back in a hiking-safe carrier).

Fanshawe Lake is a more well-known hiker's paradise (out in the North East end of London. See link here) but still a lovely as you can choose the trails that go along the lake itself.  There are various trails to choose from with various levels of difficulty.  Plus a great campground not far away that you can use for a day, or for a few weeks at a time. 

Know about the Komoka Trails? Then you'll also know about the gorgeous scenery to take in there as well.  Another beloved spot for locals that live in the Komoka/Kilworth/Byron area, it is a great walk and is great for young families too.  Check out the link here.

Warbler Woods is a small woodsy area located, again, in the Byron area of town.  If you are feeling like a workout, take a run through this forested area - there are two giant hills that go through this forest and give you a great bang for your workout buck (see the ESA link below for more info). 

Sifton Bog is also a great place to check out, if you want to pick some wild apples and maybe even see a deer or two.  It's located in the Oxford/Hyde Park/Riverside area of town.  The official entrance can be found off of Oxford Street West, just across the street from the TD Bank and Super Store area (see the ESA link below for more info).

There are fun clubs that have been around for while that offer nature walks, and group walks where you can meet other people and chat while strolling through our lovely city.  See the links for some of these options here:

Nature Walks

Home Hiking London TVTA

For more information on other great hidden-away places, check out the following link on London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA's).  There are so many to choose from, there is bound to be one near you that you can stroll through with your family. Please read their guidelines, however, since many of these areas contain species you might not want to encounter by yourself... or at all...plants and animals alike.   

So get out there, London, and walk your way through this gorgeous, forested city of ours.  Just be sure to always read the warnings, signs and follow all rules while out there to stay safe and always be sure to have a way to communicate with others in case of an emergency.   

As always, feel free to share in the comments below, or on our facebook page (click here), about the places YOU like to go for a walk in London.  I'm sure I've missed a few gems :)

Have a great day, London!

Image courtesy of www.london.ca

The abovementioned information is for entertainment purposes only. Locally Urban Mom is not responsible for misuse or any harm incurred when using pathways and trails that have been suggested in the blog post.  Locally Urban Mom does urge everyone to be careful, and use prudence and safety guidelines when using the aforementioned trail and park locations