The Bug and The Butterfly

A charming little production about an insect falling in love with a butterfly for toddlers.

This was little Freddie’s first ever theatre production and he was transfixed for the whole time. At just 30 minutes it had been especially adapted for toddlers from 18 months and it worked! The production fuses dance, music with English and Spanish text. The kids seemed to enjoy it but it perhaps lacked some of the cheesier elements of a children’s production. In a sense it was quite grown-up in style (so appealed to us parents too), being quite arty and clever in its delivery.

It was also our first visit to the Arts Depot and the small theatre this production was performed in is a perfect size for little people with only a few rows of seats. There is a little cafe and soft play area keeping the little ones entertained before the theatre doors open! The Arts Depot have regular productions for under 5s as do other theatres around the UK. If you want to visit a show take a look at what's on in the theatre section on Tot Friendly and remember we add new shows on a regular basis. Panto list coming soon!

From Pinky and Perky to Postman Pat - Hertford Museum

Children’s TV Characters 1950-1990

This charming little exhibition at the recently restored Hertford Museum is packed full of memorabilia. Adults will love it because of the warm memories the items bring back to mind (the 1970s were my childhood- Bagpuss & Mr Benn). Children & Toddlers will enjoy it too with plenty of “real-life” characters from Basil Brush to Paddington Bear and the Wombles (the exhibits also includes the largest Pokemon collection newly listed in the Guinness Book of Records).

It’s a small exhibition, so perfect to soak up half an hour one rainy day on from now until Saturday 8th January - visit the website for details

West Wittering Beach - West Sussex - perfect for toddlers!

Last week we decided to take a last minute break in the UK and leave Hertfordshire and London behind! We were fortunate to know a couple who had just renovated their lovely barn in West Sussex and were happy to rent it out to us at short notice. Located in West Sussex we were unsure what we were heading for as neither of us (hubby or I) had ever been here for a holiday. We were pleasantly surprised; the beach at West Wittering was absolutely amazing! Perfect bucket and spade sand with a safe sloping beach front ideal for toddlers and small children. Little Freddie’s first visit to the seaside in the UK was a great experience, he delighted at the waves and dug furiously with his spade, although at 15 months he didn’t really understand the sand castle business! West Wittering beach is large and sandy and so doesn’t feel ridiculously busy, dogs are allowed on certain areas and it is also a Blue Flag beach. A lovely seaside town called Bosham is also worth a visit, and at high has some of its road covered by the sea.