By Hazel Tsoi-Wiles
Discover Children’s Story Centre is a surprising find along Stratford High Street, which mostly serves as a corridor to the Olympic Park and Westfield shopping mall. Despite its location, the Centre can be reached by any number of buses, it is a few metres away from Stratford Tube station, and its outdoor play space overlooks Stratford High Street DLR station—there are no excuses not to go. And go you must, as this is a unique, child-centred space that is so well designed, so thoughtfully programmed that it has to be experienced to be appreciated.
The main aim of Discover Children’s Story Centre is to spark the imagination of children, parents, carers and families through stories and story-telling. It emphasises early years literacy but also the importance of play. There are interactive reading sessions for younger children, led by the Centre’s Storybuilders who get everyone involved with props and soft furnishings. There are large-scale, immersive, interactive exhibitions for older children with specially designed activities to encourage their curiosity, their creativity and their imaginations. There are workshops for structured activities, two floors of fantastic play space for letting loose, and a garden full of interesting things for really running wild.
As the place is suitable for children from 0 to 11 years old, it’s a godsend for parents who need to entertain several children of different ages all at the same time. Other welcome facilities for parents include a massive buggy park, lockers, plenty of toilets with baby-changing units and wristbands for all adults so you can relax and enjoy your time there. The Discover experience is very well thought out and definitely worth the entrance fee—just be aware it’s not open on Mondays!
Admission for adults and children over two is £5 per visit; children under two go free. Newham residents (adults and children) pay £4.50 each on proof of address. Family tickets for four cost £18, and annual passes range from £27.50 to £66—this is the best-value option if you’re likely to go more than twice in a year. And why wouldn’t you when Discover Children’s Story Centre is such an adventure for your child, and the child within you?
The Centre’s address is 383-387 Stratford High Street, E15 4QZ. For more information, see Discover Children’s Story Centre’s website.
