Top 5 children's events

Need some ideas to keep the nippers entertained?

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Wallace Collection. There's a Mischievous Monkey Trail for kids to celebrate the incoming Year Of The Monkey and you can make your own mischievous monkey to take home. The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, W1 (020-7563 9500). Sat 17 Jan, £1 per child, no booking necessary.

THE BEAGLE VOYAGES

Linking the Beagle 2 mission to Mars with Charles Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle in the early 19th century, this exhibition is a fascinating comparison between technology and endeavour separated by time. National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 (020-8312 6565). Ends Sun 25 Jan, free.

SINDY'S 40TH BIRTHDAY

As Sindy stands poised on the verge of a 21st-century makeover, this retrospective is a reminder of the way she has looked over the decades and includes a look at her flashy pads and even flashier cars. Museum Of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 (020-8980 2415). Free.

THE CHIPOLATAS

Hip enough for older kids, but silly enough to reduce younger ones to giggles, this circus-style show, with crazy sausage shenanigans, is joined by local children this weekend. Royal Festival Hall Ballroom Floor, South Bank, SE1 (020-7960 4242). Sat 17 & Sun 18 Jan,

12.30pm, free.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Table-top puppetry, shadow play and object animation tell the story of the girl who sets off for Grandma's house, but has a wolfish surprise when she gets there. Watermans, High Street, Brentford, Middx (020-8232 1010). Sun 18 Jan, 3pm & 4pm, £6, child £4.