Kids Get Busy At Izzy Jones

It has been a long summer for most parents, particularly as the weather wasn’t the best for keeping kids entertained. Although children have finally gone back to school, many parents still have toddlers to keep busy, and if you haven’t signed your older children up to every after-school class going, there is still the dilemma of keeping them away from the TV and doing something a bit more creative between school and dinner.

Izzy Jones, a new children’s boutique and creative studio, has just launched in the heart of Queen’s Park, London. It offers parents somewhere they can relax and browse while their children take part in arts-and-crafts workshops run by trained experts.

Classes change on a regular basis but include baby and toddler music classes, drama club,  puppet-making and storytelling.

‘I thought how fantastic it would be to create an indoor space that offered something for both children and adults; a child-friendly shop where grown-ups could browse an interesting selection of children’s brands and have a coffee, while their children got creative,’ says founder Lucy Sheard.

‘My mum’s an artist and my background in running children’s educational centres has shown me how important and beneficial it is for youngsters to have an artistic outlet. Classes will be about having fun and learning, regardless of age and ability.’

Classes start at £8 per session and are run by professional artist and puppeteer Sara Clark, who has many years’ experience working with children of all ages.

If classes are too structured or you are in the area at a time a class is not on, you can drop in for some spontaneous creative fun and decorate whatever you want however you want! Choose an item to decorate from a wide range of canvasses, papier mâché and wooden objects. You pay for the item you pick, plus a £6 studio fee to cover your time and all materials. Paints, feathers, foam shapes, pom-poms and sequins are just some of the decorative items at your disposal.

Clothing ranges available in store include exclusive brands like Aravore, Kaboosia, Organics For Kids, Toby Tiger and Albetta, with a focus on organic cotton and sustainable materials. Toy brands include fun and educational items from brands such as Anamalz, Melissa & Doug, Moulin Roty, Hape and Edu Toys.

Izzy Jones, 348 Kilburn Lane, Queens Park, London W9 3EF. Tel 0207 998 8991. Email info@izzyjones.co.uk

  • Miss B

    Belinda Wanis, aka Miss B, is a Belle About Town who likes to bring a little bit of style into every aspect of her life. An experienced journalist with over 20 years in the industry she turned to the web, creating Belle About Town in early 2010, to fill a gap for tech-savvy stylish women who want the best life has to offer at their fingertips. She loves a decadent cocktail bar, a beautifully cut dress, cultural getaways, quality over quantity and is partial to Asian-fusion food. A globetrotter, who has lived in Australia, the UK and Denmark, she enjoys holidaying in the sun and you can often find her on a beach in Thailand or on shopping breaks in Sydney or New York. But her first love is, of course, London!