Mum makes giant Lego model of Harry Potter's Hogwarts

Check out mum's amazing Lego model of Harry Potter's Hogwarts London Media

While most mums spend their days picking Lego pieces out of the soles of their feet (owww!) and the furthest possible part of the vacuum cleaner, Alice Finch gets a bit more creative.

A lot more creative in fact, as the talented mum of two has built a staggering 13ft by 13ft replica of Harry Potter's Hogwarts entirely out of the coloured bricks.

Alice used a whopping 400,000 pieces of Lego to make her amazing model – somewhat more than the official Hogwarts Lego kit which uses just 1,290.

The replica took Alice an entire year to construct and earned her a Best in Show accolade at a recent Lego awards ceremony.

The 38-year-old admits it wasn't all child's play making the building though as her fingers paid the price for the fiddly work.

"It sounds odd to say 'Lego-related injuries' but I've worn off my fingerprints several times," she told the Sun.

Alice keeps her amazing model at her home in Seattle - and no doubt totally off limits to her two kids!

Family activities in March

Climbing the Wall!
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Westway Sports Centre, London W10, </span><a href="http://www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Westwaysportscentre.org.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> See website for opening times</div> <div> The Westway has one of the largest climbing walls in the UK with 120 rope lines and 350 routes - and its recently been revamped so is better than ever. The Centre also has two bouldering walls, a traverse wall, two training rooms, and a campus board. Erm…that basically means lots of things to climb with differing levels of difficulty we think! There are Tiny Tots Pay & Play sessions after schools for 5-6 year olds and Junior Pay & Play sessions for 7-14 year olds plus Family Sessions, Junior and Adult Private Tuition for those who want to take things to even greater heights!</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> From £4 per session.</div>
VegFest!
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Brighton, </span><a href="http://brighton.vegfest.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Brighton.vegfest.co.uk</a></p> <div> <strong>When: </strong>16-17 March</div> <div> </div> <div> Calling all veggies! Head down to an extravaganza of a vegetarian food show case – with lots of kid-friendly fun too. CBeebies presenter Sarah Jane Honeywell will be at the show on the 17th so you can say hello. There are Kids Cookery Sessions with Captain James Tea Cook, magic shows, face painting, balloon modelling, food experiments and lots of free healthy food for kids to try. The event also includes a Sign and Song Interactive Showcase, a show for 4-11 year olds with high energy, engaging songs, the opportunity to learn some cool moves, sing like a rock star and even get a feel for Makaton signing. There’s also the chance to keep the family fit with Hula Hoop and Yoga workshops. (VegFest goes to Bristol in May and London in October)</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>Free</div>
Tractor Ted's Little Farm
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire, </span><a href="http://bowood-house.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Bowood-house.co.uk</a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> & </span><a href="http://tractorted.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Tractorted.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> From March 22</div> <div> </div> <div> Tractor Ted’s Little Farm opens on 22nd March at Bowood House & Gardens, bringing to life the real action farming stories told by Tractor Ted, which help little ones learn all about where their food comes from. Meet friendly farm animals such as goats and sheep and handle rabbits, guinea pigs and hens. Watch real chicks hatching, play farm games and watch Tractor Ted’s films. There’s also a mini tractor track, ball scooping in the mini digger den and on special occasions, see combine harvesters, forage harvesters, balers and ploughs.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Tickets to the House and Gardens which includes Tractor Ted’s Little Farm costs £10.50 for adults, £8 children 5-12 years and £6 for children 2-4 years. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £31.50.</div>
Zufari: Ride into Africa!
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Chessington World of Adventures Resort, </span><a href="http://www.chessington.com/Default.aspx" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Chessington.com</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When: </strong>From March 20</div> <div> </div> <div> New for 2013, Zufari is ‘a safari truck ride into a mysterious African Kingdom.’ Join a small specialist conservation team, A.C.R.E., who have stumbled upon previously undiscovered land in Africa which they have named ‘ZUFARI.’  There are no signs of civilization, although it would appear human tribes once visited - but something scared them away….Adventurers enter the Base Camp station for an interactive pre-show cinema experience where one of A.C.R.E.’s leading explorers will outline the details of the challenge they are about to set.  Then jump aboard the off-road truck specially designed for this mission and experience a thrilling safari expedition splashing and careering through the extreme terrain of the African outback. Get up close and personal to towering giraffe, powerful white rhino, dazzling zebra, flamboyant flamingos and more. But it’s an unpredictable world out there so hidden dangers may crop up along the way...</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> From £22.50 per person for a family of two (or more) booking the Family Saver ticket online outside of seven days.</div>
Rollercoaster Preview
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Hampshire, </span><a href="http://www.altontowers.com/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Altontowers.com</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> From March 16th</div> <div> </div> <div> Alton Towers opens its doors for the season this month with the promise of a new rollercoaster, The Smiler set to begin speeding in May. Whilst many of the details are still a closely guarded secret, the coaster will feature adrenalin pumping speeds of 85km/hr and a plummeting drop of 30m. You can get a preview of the coaster at The Sanctuary - a recently re-opened scare maze at the resort. We’re terrified already!</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Prices start from £34.65 for adults and £28.35 for children when you book 7 days in advance at <a href="http://www.altontowers.com/" target="_blank">Altontowers.com</a>. </div>
Cardiff Children's Literature Festival
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Cardiff, <a href="http://cardiffchildrenslitfest.com/content.asp" target="_blank">Cardiffchildrenslitfest.com</a></span></p> <div> <strong>When:</strong> 20-24 March</div> <div> </div> <div> With visits from top-notch authors and illustrators like Cressida Cowell, Lydia Monks, Chris Riddell, Paul Stewart, Francesca Kay and Martin Brown, there’s something for everyone at the first ever Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival. With talks and storytelling, comic strip, science fiction and creative writing workshops, tea parties, on-street shows, treasure hunts, make & take craft sessions, songs and games and more, it will be a weekend you wouldn’t want to miss out on.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Some events are free, others are ticketed, but only at around £2.50 per person. Bargain!</div>
Ride a High Wire
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Zip World, near Bangor, North Wales, </span><a href="http://www.zipworld.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Zipworld.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> Opening March 23rd</div> <div> </div> <div> Not for the faint hearted, Zip World will be the ‘largest zip wire experience in the Northern Hemisphere’ and is set to see the brave fly through the skies for over a mile at speeds of up to 75mph. Located in the world’s largest old slate quarry, it will take visitors over 700ft through the air above a mountain lake with panoramic views to Snowdonia and the Isle of Anglesey. After an interactive exploration of the area and a journey high into the mountains, you’ll get to wear a flying suit, helmet and goggles. My top tip? Have a wee before you take off! </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>From £36 for children and £45 for adults</div>
Stables Open Morning
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Lavant House Stables, near Chichester, </span><a href="http://lhstables.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Lhstables.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When: </strong>March 29</div> <div> </div> <div> Head down to the famous stables for a chance to enjoy riding demonstrations, free pony rides for kids, farrier displays, refreshments, face painting, bouncy castle, tractor rides and more. There’s an Easter Egg hunt in the woodlands too.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>Free</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
Eggs for Soldiers Event
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, </span><a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Iwm.org.uk</a></p> <div> <strong>When:</strong> March 3</div> <div> </div> <div> Eggs for Soldiers was created in 2011 to raise money for Help for Heroes (15p from the sale of every khaki green box of ‘Eggs for Soldiers’ goes to the charity which helps wounded servicemen and women returning from conflict). At IWM, you can help create a huge surprise model made from Eggs for Soldiers khaki egg-boxes (last year they built this Challenger Tank, pictured) and bring along your own model made from the boxes to be judged by expert sculptors. There’ll also be eggs to paint and model-making equipment to play with.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Adults, £17.50; children under 16 free</div>
St Albans Film Festival
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> St Albans, Herts, </span><a href="http://stalbansfilmfestuval.com/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Stalbansfilmfestuval.com</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> 8-10 March</div> <div> </div> <div> Check out the programme online for lots of family-friendly events going on at this new festival, including free drop-in screenings of films for pre-schoolers, animated nursery rhyme and family screenings plus the chance to book on workshops including ‘kids’ acting for camera’ and ‘Make a film in 2 hours’ plus puppet talks and more.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>See website</div> <div> </div>
Pick up a Penguin (well, almost!)
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water, </span><a href="http://birdland.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Birdland.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> Daily from 10am</div> <div> </div> <div> If the BBC’s recent nature programme Spy in The Huddle has inspired you to see some real Penguins, visit Birdland, where you can meet King Penguins and Humboldts.  There is a daily feeding demonstration at 2.30pm with an informative and fun talk by the keeper. Windows in the water show how the penguins much loved waddling turns to power and elegance once they’re underwater and truly in their element.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> See website</div>
South Tyneside Magic Festival
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">South Shields, </span><a href="http://southtyneside.info/magicfestival" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Southtyneside.info/magicfestival</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> 4-10 March</div> <div> </div> <div> See live performances from some of the world’s best entertainers, join in workshops, lectures and masterclasses through the week. Don’t miss the ‘Family Magic Extravaganza’ at The Customs House, South Shields, n evening of puppets, balloons and mind-boggling tricks</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>The ‘Family Magic Extravaganza’ costs £6 per ticket; see website for other events and prices</div>
Make Time for Tea with The Eve Appeal
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> At home! </span><a href="http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Eveappeal.org.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> Anny time!</div> <div> </div> <div> The Eve Appeal, which helps raise funds for research into early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, is hosting a ‘Make Time for Tea’ campaign – and is calling on families to get their aprons on and get baking. Call for your free tea pack (see below) which contains fun and colourful tea party ideas and recipes. Then pick a date, ring up friends and invite them to tea. Then get baking with your kiddies! Host your party and price each cake at £1 to see how much you can raise.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Free tea pack from office@eveappeal.org.uk or call 020 7605 0100</div>
Foul Fayres
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Warwick Castle, </span><a href="http://www.warwick-castle.com/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Warwick-castle.com</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When: </strong>23 March - 14 April</div> <div> </div> <div> Gore and goo, plagues and poo all play their part in the thousand years of history that families discover daily at Warwick Castle and for this year only, Britain’s Ultimate Castle will host three Foul Fayres with Horrible Histories to celebrate twenty years of the hit kids’ books. The first Foul Fayre - Awesome Easter will immerse visitors of all ages in the most gruesome and fun aspects of Britain’s history. There’ll be live actors telling – and showing – just how awful life has been over the centuries whilst kids will have the chance to get their hands dirty along the way. Some seriously disgusting pongs are promised, too.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> See website</div>
Wallace & Gromit Musical Marvels
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Brighton Dome and Hammersmith Apollo, </span><a href="http://wallaceandgromitmusicalmarvels.com/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Wallaceandgromitmusicalmarvels.com</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> March 30, Brighton and March 31 - April 1, London</div> <div> </div> <div> Wallace & Gromit hit the road with Musical Marvels, a new family show with the audience invited behind the scenes as Wallace prepares to perform his Proms commission ‘My Concerto in Eee Lad’. Specially-filmed Wallace & Gromit animated scenes reveal the duo’s backstage exploits as the Aurora Orchestra keep the audience entertained with classical favourites. Following the interval there will be a special screening of the multi-award winning Wallace & Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death with the soundtrack performed live.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> See website</div> <div> </div>
Move it!
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">London’ s Olympia, </span><a href="http://www.moveitdance.co.uk/page.cfm/ID=1" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Moveitdance.co.uk</a></p> <div> <strong>When:</strong> 8-10 March</div> <div> </div> <div> Join the dance movement at the UK’s biggest dance festival – your budding ballerina, hip hop star or disc diva will love it. There will be live performances, dance classes of all genres, competitions, and celebrity appearances from the likes of Darcey Bussell and You Thin You Can Dance winner Matt Flint.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>See website</div>
Cambridge Science Festival
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Cambridge University, </span><a href="http://cam.ac.uk/sciencefestival" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Cam.ac.uk/sciencefestival</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> 11-24 March</div> <div> </div> <div> With over 200 free events, the UK’s largest free science festival will be sure to excite all emerging Einsteins. There will be lots of hands-on activities, performances and even comedy. You can learn everything from how to develop photos in coffee, to ten things you didn’t know about ice-cream, why our noses make snot plus there’s the chance to join BBC’s Simon Mayo as he talks about his children’s books Itch and Itch Rocks.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost: </strong>Free</div> <div> </div>
Plant a pot for Mother's Day
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Squires Garden Centres in in North and West London, Surrey, Berkshire and Sussex (except Chertsey), </span><a href="http://squiresgardencentres.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Squiresgardencentres.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When: </strong>7-10 March</div> <div> </div> <div> Make Mother’s Day with a plant-your-own container basket from Squires Garden Centres. As part of their new “Create & Grow” programme of activities for Children, Squires is giving green-fingered kiddies the chance to create their own colourful container handmade with love as a unique gift this Mother’s Day. With the help of Squires resident plant experts, children can plant three colourful flowers into their container with some compost and add a pretty bow.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> £4.99 per basket, first come first served.  £1 from each basket will be donated to charity, split between the local garden centre’s charity of the year and national gardening charity Greenfingers, a national charity dedicated to creating magical gardens for children’s hospices around the UK. </div> <div> </div>
All About Me
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where: </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax, </span><a href="https://www.eureka.org.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Eureka.org.uk/newgallery</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> From March 29</div> <div> </div> <div> A new £2.9m ‘All About Me’ health and body-themed gallery opens at children’s museum Eureka! It’s an immersive educational experience that uses play, role-play and interactive displays to help children learn about their bodies and how to make positive choices that will help them look after themselves. Over 100 new interactive exhibits include ‘The Senses’ where you can peek inside a giant nose complete with giant snot tanks, follow friends with a giant eyeball and climb onto a giant tongue!  Other features include microscopes for zooming in on your skin, a skeleton that shows you how your bones move when you dance and ‘Health TV’ where children can take on the role of reporter. ‘The Chew to the Poo,’ digestion machine follows food’s journey through the body, from bite, chew and swallow to the intestines and the waste products, and in the role play ‘Health Centre’ there’s a reception area, doctor’s surgery, a dentist’s chair and a maternity surgery, where you can act out the various roles and use equipment including stethoscopes, drills and bandages.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> A standard Eureka! Ticket is also an Annual Pass. Adults: £9.95, Children age 3+: £9.95, Toddlers age 1-2: £3.45, Babies age 0-11 months: Free.</div>
Sunday Breakfast Club
<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">Where:</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;"> At seven Luxury Family Hotels including Polurrian Bay Hotel, Cornwall and The Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds, </span><a href="http://www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">Luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk</a></p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>When:</strong> From March 10th</div> <div> </div> <div> Mums (and dads) spending this Mother’s Day at a Luxury Family Hotel can recapture that most elusive of treats - the Sunday morning ‘lie in’ - thanks to new ‘Breakfast Clubs’ being introduced by the group. In what is every parent’s dream, at 8am on Sunday mornings, children are collected by one of the hotels’ qualified members of staff and whisked off to enjoy special activities and a delicious breakfast at the Breakfast Club. Parents are left in peace to indulge themselves in that long-lost pleasure of creeping back under the duvet. As a special touch for Mother’s Day, fresh fruit juice, pastries and the Sunday papers will also be hand-delivered when the children are collected.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Cost:</strong> Prices for the Mother’s Day weekend start at £198 for two nights based on two adults sharing on a room and breakfast basis, with children sharing their parent’s room on a complimentary room-only basis.</div>