I’m starting to get a little of that seasonal buzz, as more and more Christmas family attractions keep opening. Here’s the London Kids Weekend Scoop filled with lovely things to do in London with kids including:
Peter Pan on Stage, Live Reindeer in Covent Garden, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens, Christmas Tree Maze in Vauxhall, Barbican’s Framed Family Film Festival…
Have fun!
Fri-Sun: Peter Pan at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon)
My favourite childhood tale comes to the stage at the wonderful Polka Theatre in what promises to be a magical performance. Follow Peter’s adventures with Wendy and her siblings, the Lost Boys, his fairy friend Tinkerbell and of course dastardly enemy Captain Hook. There will be original songs, puppetry, swashbuckling fun and fairy dust! For ages 6+ but special baby-friendly ‘All Ages Welcome’ performances available. 7pm (Fri Nov 21), general times 11am (Fri), 2pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 11am & 2.30pm (Sun) NB: dates and times vary so confirm via booking; adult £17.50/child £17.50/concs £11.50 (Nov 21-Feb 15)
Thu-Sat: Young Vic: Dusk, Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ (Waterloo/Southwark tube)
This sounds adorable: theatre company Fevered Sleep invites young audiences to prick up your ears and romp around in a forest filled with tiny creatures with fluffy tails. Explore the point at which day meets night in a co-production with Young Vic that blends film and live performance. Fluffy tails will be provided! Aimed at kids ages 4-7, older ones and babes-in-arms are welcome. For toddlers, speak to the Welcome Team on 0207 922 2922 for further info. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Tue & Thu), 10.30am (Wed), 10.30am & 4.30pm (Fri), 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm (Sat); £10 (Nov 14-29)
Fri-Sun: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Grab your Christmas hat and skip on over to Hyde Park for the grand opening of its Winter Wonderland. It gets bigger every year, and you can always look forward to ice skating, a Giant Observation Wheel, a Magical Ice Kingdom, two shows of Zippo’s Circus, German chalets and funfair attractions. All ages. Opens 5pm-9pm (Fri Nov 21), then 10am-10pm daily; park entry is FREE, ride tokens cost £1 and rides start at £2 for kids rides, £3 for adults; book for special attractions and skating in advance at www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/tickets (Nov 21-Jan 4)
Read our Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Review from last year!
Fri-Sun: Ice Skate Vauxhall | Christmas Tree Maze at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY, UK (Vauxhall tube/rail)
Could this be a contender for coolest ice rink destination of the capital? Visit the Ice Skate Vauxhall rink for a skate around and then get lost as you wander through walls made up of hundreds of Christmas trees spanning nearly a square km. When you reach the centre, there’s a friendly guy in a suit waiting to greet you. There’s also a street food market on site and traditional rides. All ages. 11am-8pm (Sun-Thu), 11am-11pm (Fri-Sat); adult from £10.80/child from £7.65 (Nov 21-Jan 4)
Fri-Sun: South Ken Kids Festival, Institut français | 17 Queensberry Place | London SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Still some spaces for this hugely popular literary arts festival that happens every year in South Kensington. As ever, the collaborative ‘drawing duos’ demos are back with The Big Duo featuring Quentin Blake and Daniel Maja (Fri Nov 21, 6.30pm, £5). There’s also a chance to meet Judith Kerr and Anne Fine, watch some charming animated films, or take part in workshops led by Satisho Kutimaro, Axel Scheffler and Okido magazine. Event times vary between 9am-5pm, price range £5-£8 per activity (E-Comics workshop for older kids is £15). Telephone bookings: 020 7871 3515 (until Nov 23)
Fri-Sun: The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park, Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF (Waterloo to Kew Bridge/Brentford or Syon Lane rail)
I’ve yet to take the babes to this event but perhaps we’ll make it this year! Hugely popular annual attraction that sees thousands of colourful lights illuminating Syon Park gardens for a magical Christmas spectacle. 5-9pm, adult £7/child £3/under 2s FREE (until Dec 8)
Fri-Sun: Museum of London: A Bear Called Paddington, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (St Paul’s/Barbican tube)
It’s all about the bear from Peru this month as his big screen debut happens at the end of November. There’s an exhibition on at House of Illustration in Kings Cross, and here at Museum of London another display of Paddington’s best known and best loved items is sure to draw the crowds. There’s a Paddington Picnic weekend coming up and an activity space for ages 0-11 to explore. 10am-5pm, FREE (until Jan 4, 2015)
Have you followed the Paddington Trail? Find 50 life-sized statues of Paddington Bear at landmarks around London until Dec 30!
Fri-Sun: Southbank Centre Winter Festival, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre is a wondrous place to be at any time of year, but it really comes into its own in the lead-up to Christmas. This year’s Winter Festival sees giant illuminated rabbits, a Christmas tree maze, Christmas tree cafe, and the bustling Christmas Market. More to look forward to in December include family friendly shows by toddler friendly Oily Cart, the amazing Slava’s Snowshow, circus show Timber and screenings of The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf accompanied by live orchestra. All ages. Christmas Market open daily 10am-9pm (Sun-Thu) and 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat); FREE entry (until Jan 4)
Sat: Reindeer in Covent Garden, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF (Covent Garden tube)
Hooray, the reindeer are back in the piazza! Bring your little ones along to meet one of Santa’s favourite flying pals (specially grounded for this event, of course). Tinkerbell and her best friend Cracker will be wandering Covent Garden in search of carrots and friendly pats and scratches behind the ear every Saturday from this weekend. All ages. 12-4pm, FREE (Sats until Christmas)
Sat-Sun: Barbican Centre Framed Family Film Festival, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
A fabulous annual showcase of films and workshops suitable for kids under 12. This weekend’s highlights include a special preview screening of The Penguins of Madagascar (Sat 11am & 11.30am); and more gems including A Christmoose Story and Belle and Sebastian. There are also fun free activities and workshops such as the Animation Station throughout the festival. All ages. Dates and times vary, price range £6-£15, some events are FREE (until Nov 23)
We also like
The exuberant Stick Man is back at Leicester Square Theatre (from Fri through Jan 4); you can meet a convincing Father Christmas in Santa’s 5D Grotto at Westfield Stratford City and Westfield Shepherd’s Bush (from Fri-Dec 24); interact with a real orchestra in Mini Maestros at St Martin in the Fields (Sat); the Christmas Special Puppet Shows at Dulwich Picture Gallery sound like fun (Sun); and London Jazz Festival sounds its last horn (ends Sun)
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