Top five children's events

11 April 2012

Complete with sound and jungle settings, you can learn about the dino life cycle from birth to death.

There's dino trivia galore, plus a chance to feast your eyes on some rare fossils from the Horniman's Natural History Collection.

The Horniman Museum, SE23 (020-8699 1872). Thur 12 Feb-Sun 31 Oct, £4, child £2, family £10. 4+ years

Famous Forever
Did you know Elgar painted musical 'portraits' of all his best friends in his Enigma Variations?

LSO conductor Richard McNicol will reveal all at this special LSO Avent family concert where kids are encouraged to bring their instruments along.

There's also a creative family workshop in the morning, from 10.30am, so you can make a day of it.

The Barbican, Silk Street, EC2 (020-7638 8891). Sun 8 Feb, 3pm, £5, child £3, workshop £5 for Family Concert ticket holders only. 7-12 years

Hey there, Boy with the Bebop...
It's not often theatres stage shows for the 12 to 16-year-old age range, so this show from Polka Teens is a bit of a departure.

Mad Elvis is different - he's the kid all the others avoid. He listens to his dad's dodgy old records, and never leaves his room. But Chantaye finds him fascinating.

Tackling upfront issues such as love and bullying, this may cleverly bridge that gap between children's and adult theatre.
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 (020-8543 4888). Thur 5 Feb-Sat 13 Mar, preview tickets £4. 12-16 years

The Miz Kids Club
What goes on behind the scenes at London's longest running musical, Les Misérables?

All will be revealed for kids at The Miz Kids Club. There's a drama and singing workshop, a chance to try on the costumes, meet one of the stars of the show, and find out what it's really like to stand up on stage in front of hundreds of people.

Professionally run by experts, these workshops are designed to be fun as well as informative, and they also give kids an interesting new perspective on the show (which, incidentally, now stars Jon Lee - former member of S Club - as Marius).
The Miz Kids Club, Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus, W1 (020-7439 3062). First and fourth Sat in every month for 8- to 11-year- olds, third Sat in every month for 12-15-year-olds, from £23 per child including a ticket to the matinée performance.

Project Apollo
This special day of art and music is a joint venture between the Wallace Collection and Wigmore Hall.

First the experts help children track down Apollo in some of the Wallace Collection's glorious paintings.

Then composer Jackie Walduck and artist Karly Allen work with the kids to create new music and art inspired by the Greek sun god. The whole day finishes up with a performance on stage for friends and family at Wigmore Hall.

Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, W1 (020-7563

9500). Sat 7 Feb, 10.30am, £10, child £8. 5+ years

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Top five children's events

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