Seven things to do with LittleHumans in London this December
December in London asks a lot of a small person: crowds, late nights, and a great deal of waiting. These are the antidote. Seven things to do with kids in London this December, chosen for LittleHumans aged 0 to 7: short shows made for the youngest, two Christmas fairs with animals and carols, and a free exhibition that turns four centuries of winter into a walk. The shows and Santa trains book up, so this is a guide to read in November.
1. Winter Past at the Museum of the Home (17 November to 10 January)
Free, and the quietest Christmas treat in London. The Museum of the Home dresses its Rooms Through Time for the season, from midwinter in 1630 to an imagined New Year's Eve in 2049, so you can walk through four centuries of winter at home in one visit. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm; check the Christmas closures before you set off.
2. Antarctica at Polka Theatre (27 November to 17 January)
Little Bulb's festive show for ages 3 to 7, with clowning, puppets and snowy surprises among the penguins and albatrosses, in Polka's smaller Adventure Theatre. From £18, with a relaxed performance on 29 November and a BSL-interpreted one on 13 December.
3. Huddle at the Unicorn Theatre (27 November to 3 January)
A gentle, highly visual 50 minutes for ages 1 to 4, in which Mr Penguin receives a special delivery, his very own egg, and has to learn to care for what hatches. The Unicorn's access listings show the sensory performances.
4. Scruff's Christmas Adventure at Little Angel Theatre (28 November to 3 January)
Thirty-five minutes of puppetry, silly characters and plenty of joining in, for ages 3 to 6, in Islington's 65-year-old puppet theatre. £18 adults and £16 children, but the Wednesday 4.45pm shows are £8.50 for everyone, the bargain of the season.
5. Surrey Docks Farm Christmas Fair (5 December)
The riverside farm in Rotherhithe holds its Christmas Fair from 11am to 4pm: carol singing, craft stalls, animal handling, mulled wine for the grown-ups and Christmas trees for sale. The farm stays free to visit as usual.
6. Fulham Palace Christmas Fair (5 and 6 December)
The bishops' old palace by Putney Bridge holds its Christmas Fair from 11am to 4pm: crafts and badge making for younger visitors, a Christmas tree trail where you vote for the champion, carols in the Tudor courtyard and a gift grotto tombola. £3 a child, £5 an adult, £15 a family. Prams stay in the outdoor parking spaces, so bring a sling for the historic rooms.
7. Santa Specials on the Ruislip Lido Railway (5, 6, 13 and 19 December)
Father Christmas takes over Britain's longest 12-inch railway, with trains running regularly from about 11am, and everyone on board gets a present, grown-ups included. £20 a seat, £4 for babies under 18 months, booked online only. Allow about 75 minutes, and book early; it is extremely popular.
Looking for this month instead? Our November guide has early fireworks, a Diwali lantern parade and the first Christmas shows.
Spontaneous days, seamlessly planned
Every place in this guide lives in Little Atlas, our free and calm map of London for families: curated spots, this week's opening hours, prices, toilets and baby change, pram access, and monthly guides like this one, all in your pocket for the days you decide where to go on the way out the door.
Image credits: a 1790s period room at the Museum of the Home by James E. Petts (CC BY-SA 2.0); Fulham Palace by Michael Coppins (CC BY-SA 4.0); Ruislip Lido Railway by Mike Peel, mikepeel.net (CC BY-SA 4.0), all via Wikimedia Commons.