Baby and kids' shows to check out in London
Baby shows are family-friendly events where parents can shop, chill and pick up tips on pregnancy, baby and child-rearing. Here are the ones coming up in London
Baby shows are a chance to test out new gear, listen to speakers and pick up a few tips. Photo: Minnie Zhou
Parenting may be the most natural thing in the world, but it's also one of the most confusing life transitions you'll ever go through. While most parents accept they're going to be 'winging it' every step of the way for the next 18 years, we all want tips, advice and gear to help us through it.
Enter baby shows, expos and wellness fests devoted to motherhood: from couples thinking about conception to mummas on their mat leaves looking for support and inspiration, there are plenty of key dates to mark in your calendar in the coming months…
Being Mum Fest
HKX Building, King's Cross, 12-13 October 2019
A health and wellness festival catering to those trying to conceive, pregnant women and new mums with their bubbas in tow? Yes, please. At Being Mum's wellness festival, you can attend reflexology workshops, aromatherapy sessions, yoga, meditation, barre and weightlifting classes (including therapeutic workshops for those with pelvic floor issues or diastasis recti).
You can also get to grips with a range of issues by heading to useful talks on topics ranging from birth experiences to how to negotiate career challenges post-baby. Registration is £69.99, which includes access to on-site babysitting. FYI, day one focuses on conception and pregnancy, whereas day two is all about new mums and their needs.
The Baby Show
The Baby Show
Olympia, London, 18-20 October 2019 and ExCel, London, 28 February-1 March 2020
The Baby Show (with MadeForMums) is a huge parenting showcase that's essentially a playground for new and expectant parents: you can test out baby gear from top brands like Bugaboo, iCandy and Mothercare (as well as discovering independent labels), you can listen to sleep trainers and lactation experts, mum-preneurs and birth specialists, doctors and nutritionists. There are celeb guests, too, including Stacey Solomon and Giovanna Fletcher.
Parents accompanied by little ones will also love all of the dedicated play spaces like the Skip Hop Baby Play Zone and My First Ducati Experience with Peg Perego ride-on electric toys, as well as the Weaning Kitchen with talks from baby food expert Annabel Karmel. Don't miss the catwalk show with the latest baby and pregnancy gear. Tickets start at £14.70.
The Fertility Show
The Fertility Show
Olympia, London, 1-3 November 2019
The Fertility Show is the UK's leading fertility event, with over 60 talks across three days with leading fertility experts, counsellors, nutritionists and more. In its 11th year, the show is an invaluable source of information and support for those who are considering parenthood or going through a fertility journey or IVF treatment. There's also information on fertility assessments and conception-boosting wellness treatments like acupuncture and massage.
Independent Schools Show
Independent Schools Show
Battersea Evolution, London SW8 4NW, 9-10 November 2019
As any London parent can tell you, it's never too soon to start thinking about your child's schooling. Get ahead of the game – or prepare yourself for your child's next steps in education – at the Independent Schools Show, which brings together over 240 of the country's leading schools and covers all ages from primary through to university (including tutoring, universities abroad and more). There are talks from school heads, psychologists, experts and educators across a range of topics, covering issues like cost, country vs city schooling and coping with teenage anxiety. Tickets are free in advance; £15 on the door.
Enter baby shows, expos and wellness fests devoted to motherhood: from couples thinking about conception to mummas on their mat leaves looking for support and inspiration, there are plenty of key dates to mark in your calendar in the coming months…
Being Mum Fest
HKX Building, King's Cross, 12-13 October 2019
A health and wellness festival catering to those trying to conceive, pregnant women and new mums with their bubbas in tow? Yes, please. At Being Mum's wellness festival, you can attend reflexology workshops, aromatherapy sessions, yoga, meditation, barre and weightlifting classes (including therapeutic workshops for those with pelvic floor issues or diastasis recti).
You can also get to grips with a range of issues by heading to useful talks on topics ranging from birth experiences to how to negotiate career challenges post-baby. Registration is £69.99, which includes access to on-site babysitting. FYI, day one focuses on conception and pregnancy, whereas day two is all about new mums and their needs.
The Baby Show
The Baby Show
Olympia, London, 18-20 October 2019 and ExCel, London, 28 February-1 March 2020
The Baby Show (with MadeForMums) is a huge parenting showcase that's essentially a playground for new and expectant parents: you can test out baby gear from top brands like Bugaboo, iCandy and Mothercare (as well as discovering independent labels), you can listen to sleep trainers and lactation experts, mum-preneurs and birth specialists, doctors and nutritionists. There are celeb guests, too, including Stacey Solomon and Giovanna Fletcher.
Parents accompanied by little ones will also love all of the dedicated play spaces like the Skip Hop Baby Play Zone and My First Ducati Experience with Peg Perego ride-on electric toys, as well as the Weaning Kitchen with talks from baby food expert Annabel Karmel. Don't miss the catwalk show with the latest baby and pregnancy gear. Tickets start at £14.70.
The Fertility Show
The Fertility Show
Olympia, London, 1-3 November 2019
The Fertility Show is the UK's leading fertility event, with over 60 talks across three days with leading fertility experts, counsellors, nutritionists and more. In its 11th year, the show is an invaluable source of information and support for those who are considering parenthood or going through a fertility journey or IVF treatment. There's also information on fertility assessments and conception-boosting wellness treatments like acupuncture and massage.
Independent Schools Show
Independent Schools Show
Battersea Evolution, London SW8 4NW, 9-10 November 2019
As any London parent can tell you, it's never too soon to start thinking about your child's schooling. Get ahead of the game – or prepare yourself for your child's next steps in education – at the Independent Schools Show, which brings together over 240 of the country's leading schools and covers all ages from primary through to university (including tutoring, universities abroad and more). There are talks from school heads, psychologists, experts and educators across a range of topics, covering issues like cost, country vs city schooling and coping with teenage anxiety. Tickets are free in advance; £15 on the door.
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