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Imagine Children's Festival

By Siobhan
Last updated at 11:23:00 AM on 10 February 2012

The annual Imagine Children's Festival takes place from 11 - 26 February, 2012 at the Soutbank Centre. The Southbank Centre overlooks the River Thames and hosts events nearly everyday of the year, many of them free. The centre is easy to reach on foot, bus, or tube from your London hotel. You can take the Northern, Waterloo, Jubilee and Bakerloo lines to Waterloo Station or the District and Circle lines to Embankment Station.

If you plan to attend take note of the time you will be heading to the event. The tubes get extremely crowed during rush hour on weekdays, which may not be too fun if you're travelling with kids. Late morning to early afternoon would be the best times to use the tubes and head back after the evening rush. Walking is a great alternative if you're close enough, want to take in some views of the city, save some money and reduce your carbon footprint.

The funfair is a free family event for Londoners and those visiting the city. It runs from 11am - 8pm daily and is perhaps one of the most fun activities happening at the festival. The festival has several events including a funfair offering tons of fun, vintage games, and an old-fashioned carousel. It also has a Craft Pavilion from 11 - 19 February where kids get an introduction to popular stories and their characters. The craft activities are hands-on, so make sure you wear clothes that you don't mind getting covered in paint, glue and other fun mess causing materials. From 12 February - 17 February kids can create their own stories at the 'Beastie' event.

On 11 February a special one-day event combines music and animals in the 'Carinval of the Animals.' This is a great event for kids that love to get involved and burn off some excess energy. The event includes actors and kids from the National Youth Orchestra. Kids from all ages can take part and even adults that feel their inner child bursting out, so don't be shy, get up and have some fun.

When you arrive at the festival, you will be meet by children who as part of the Kids Takeover event run the Imagine Children's Festival, so your kids will really feel like the event is for them. Many of the children also take part in performances throughout the event. The festival will also welcome a number of well-known children's authors, including the author of 'How to Train Your Dragon,' Cressida Cowell.

Several good London hotels can be found in the Southbank area. Plaza on the River has guest rooms with river views and provides visitors with a welcome basket, a pretty nice perk that most hotels don't provide. With views of the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, you can stay in five-star luxury at the London Marriott Hotel. Another hotel with great views of the Thames and Big Ben is the Park Plaza Riverbank. All these hotels are within walking distance of the Soutbank Centre.