1. La Pájara Pinta
It’s the first Sing-a-Longs in Spanish I went to and it’s still one of my favourites. They are for children under five and the sessions are all about traditional games, songs, folk music and stories, from various Spanish-speaking countries. The kids love it! There’s tons of dancing, props, and a storybook reading at the end. If you go to the Highbury session you can combine it with a visit to Little Highness Play Café which is an easy walk away. When and where: Angel (Friday mornings), Crouch End (Tuesdays mornings) and Highbury (Saturdays mornings). They also run spanish classes for children 5 and up. More info here
2. Samba for Kids
Two great Samba schools (both LUKAS winners) provide Brazilian dance classes for kids. DanceMyWway ShowKidz, run by the lovely Monika, is based in Wembley and trains children age 6-13 in Latin jazz and Samba, to competition/performance standard. Meanwhile on the other side of town check out 'Little Sambistas' kids drumming and dance classes run by THe London School of Samba's experienced samba teachers Ages 3-7
www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk/little-sambistas and www.dancemyway.co.uk/childrens-classes
3. Tours in Spanish for Children at the Natural History Museum
This activity is just a couple of months old, but it’s been already a hit. Ester is a Spanish teacher in London who had the brilliant idea of creating a tour in Spanish of the Natural History Museum for kids. Through songs and different activities along the way, she teaches them about the animals. It’s been such a success, she just started doing them at the Science Museum too. When and where: They run on weekends throughout the month. For all the details go here.
4. Puri Puri Tales
Every couple of months or so, Puri Puri Tales comes to life. They are events for Latin American families run by a Venezuelan mum in South London. Each event has a theme, in March it’ll be Carnaval. There’s storytelling, live music, stalls with food and items to purchase and different activities. When and where: Carnaval Tales will be on the 14 March. For more details, check out their Instagram.
5. Bilingual Beats
As the name suggests, this activity is all about MUSIC. What sets them apart from other sing-a-longs and play sessions is that they do live music. On top of that, there’s tons of activities that successfully associate learning spanish to having fun. Another thing I love is that the teachers and musicians are native speakers and there’s always a mix of traditional and original songs. When and where: Islington, Earls Court, Chiswick, Swiss Cottage. More information here.
6. Cantarines
Every Wednesday, Haringey gets a dose of Spanish music at the Cantarines sessions. They are fun and easy going sing-a-longs with a ‘homey’ feel to it. There’s plenty of activities, singing and dancing to get the little ones burning off the energy, ready for nap time. When and where: They run two drop in sessions, Cantarines babies, which are more sensorial, runs from 9:30-10am at Music and Beans for 0-18 month olds. And Cantarines Kids from 10:45-11:30 am at Beans and Barley Café for under fives. Both locations are in Green Lanes. More info here.
7. Sancocho in Seven Sisters
If you want to a quick trip to Medellin or Cali, Colombia, without leaving the UK or crave a Sancocho (extremely delicious and healthy winter soup), empanadas or some wonderful ceviche head on down to Seven Sisters indoor market, also known as The Latin Corner. In Pueblito Paisa restaurant (Colombian and Peruvian) you'll be surrounded by other Latin American families getting their slice of nostalgia and some great comfort food that you won't find anywhere else in London. Be quick though, the market will be demolished in the coming years. Just get off to Seven Sisters tube, and as you emerge from underground the real world awaits you. More info on the market here and campaign here
8. Teach your kids football the Latin way
Probably London's best kept secret in the world of Football mums and dads. Anyone looking for some Latin flair in their kids skills are seeking out the city’s Latin American football trainers who are already producing some fine players. There are schools in both North and South London alike, the most well known being the Universal Elite Football Academy run by Sanchez (sounds serious and he is!). You might have seen their skills at the annual London Copa America, the giant annual football tournament that takes place in the middle of La Clave Fest Latin Festival in Finsbury Park. Contact Sanchez on 07788 253 604. Find out more about the London Copa America www.laclavefest.co.uk/copa-america-london
9. Salsa the Colombian Way
Wowing the judges on BGT, these guys are the biz when it come to serious salsa, Colombian style. The school, run by Saulo, Carolina and Sabine are the one stop shop for West End shows (and any one looking) for kids who can dance salsa properly (not Ballroom). Whether you want your child to learn salsa for fun or to train intensively, Saulo and his gang accept children from 5 years old. www.caliswinguk.com
10. Take the Family for a Mexican Sunday Brunch
Mestizo's Sunday brunches are becoming legendary. Arguably London's best Mexican restaurant which, located close to Euston and Warren Street stations, feels very much like a neighbourhood restaurant; it puts on a fine Sunday buffet including HUEVOS RANCHEROS, HUEVOS a la MEXICANA (scrambled eggs with tomato, onion, coriander & chile with rice & beans), MENUDO (braised belly pork cooked with tomato, onion & guajillo chile), POZOLE (traditional whole corn soup garnished with lettuce, radish, onion, avocado, chopped chile & lime), BIRRIA (Mexican lamb stew with tomato, onion & chile ancho) and CHORIZO con PAPA...diced spicy sausage & potato. A great way to fill your kids up before taking them to the park. www.mestizo.co.uk
Johanna Arteaga is the owner of Cuéntamelo, an online bookshop that specialises in children’s books in Spanish and is also the founder of the spanish speaking parent group Moco y Baba.
