London Kids Weekend Scoop (July 14-17, 2016)

We’ve got festival fever this weekend with tons of amazing London family festivals fully launching us into the season of summertime parties. The London Kids Weekend Scoop features: Lovebox Weekender and Citadel Festival in Victoria Park; the Walthamstow Garden Party (look out for our guy aka Big Apple Hot Dogs selling his delicious wares); the Lambeth Country Show; a dance festival at The Place; a Love Fest at Arts Depot… and loads more action for kids and families.

Get out there and celebrate the (mostly) great weather!

Thu-Sun: Little Angel Theatre: Puss in Boots, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Get down to Little Angel Theatre for 50 minutes of puppetry and farce in the hands of Patrick Lynch (CBeebies). Watch how he uses smoke and mirrors, clever trapdoors, a working windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts to bring this classic feline fairytale to life. A highly entertaining retelling of the talking cat’s ploys to fool King and Ogre and put his master at the top. For ages 3-8. Babies and children under 3 admitted at All Ages performances (Thu 10.30am and Sun 11am — call box office to book). 10.30am & 1pm (Thu, only available on door); 1pm & 5pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); adult £10/child and concs. £8/Friday Fives £5 for shows at 5pm Fri (Jul 13-17)

Thu-Sun: Gifford’s Circus, Chiswick House and Gardens, Duke’s Avenue, Chiswick, Great West Road, W4 2RP (Chiswick rail/Turnham Green tube)
LAST CHANCE: Roll up, roll up! The self-described ‘magical village green circus’ that travels the country brings its daredevil and sensational show to glorious Chiswick House. The Painted Wagon takes us back in time to the Wild West, featuring a gun-slinging, horse-wrangling, boot-stomping spectacle that’s guaranteed to entertain all the family. All ages. This weekend’s shows: 6pm (Thu), 5pm & 7.30pm (Fri), 11am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 11am, 2.30pm & 5pm (Sun) times vary by date, check web sites; adult £15-£29/child £10-£19 (until Jul 18)

Thu-Sun: The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
A mouse went into the woods one day and what did he find there? Tall Stories’ monster hit adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved picture book returns to Lyric Theatre for another run through summer and the Christmas theatre season. Follow the clever mouse on his journey as he encounters a variety of creatures leading, inevitably to his face off with the Gruffalo. But who will come out on top? Lots of fun, live music and mischief for ages 3+ (children ages 18 months+ require a ticket). 11am & 2pm (Tue-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun); from £14.50-£25.50/family ticket £65 (Jul 6-Jan 8, 2017)

Thu-Sun: International Youth Arts Festival at Rose Theatre Kingston and surrounding areas, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Visit Kingston this month as the International Youth Arts Festival takes over the area for 10 days of incredible theatre, dance, comedy, live music, circus, literature and more from a variety of performers ages 5-26. Often considered a warm-up for Edinburgh Fringe, visitors can make their own puppets or carnival costumes for a parade; see Leandro – a play about a boy in Rio who dreams of running in the Olympics; catch Little Howard’s Big Show for Kids; and loads more. All ages. Varying times; tickets for shows between £5-£15/festival wristbands available (Jul 8-17)

Thu-Sun: Southbank Centre Festival of Love, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
It’s back! The Southbank Centre’s ode to all types of human love promises a whole summer of family friendly fun both indoors and outdoors. Annual highlights include Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms fountains, the Big Wedding Weekend, the urban beach and beach huts, and all the action ongoing at Udderbelly and London Wonderground. You can book ahead for amazing sounding events like Air Play at Royal Festival Hall (Aug 9-14), Jungle Book at the London Wonderground (Aug 13-28) and ZooNation the Next Generation (Aug 28). All ages welcome (although check individual events for age restrictions). 10am-10pm daily, event times/dates and prices vary, many activities are FREE (Jul 9-Aug 29)

Fri-Sat: Lovebox Weekender at Victoria Park, Crown Gate, Victoria Park, Grove Road, Bow, London E3 5TB (Mile End tube)
It’s one of London’s largest music festivals, throwing down every year in gorgeous Victoria Park. Bring your little ones along for two days of live music from the likes of Major Lazer, George Clinton, Diplo, David Rodigan, LCD Soundsystem, Goldie, Katy B. For families there’s also the Lovebox Playbox (magic, puppets and sandpit for minis), Ping London ping pong, slack lining with Ru-Slack, and Bump Roller Disco all weekend. Pack noise-reducing headphones for the babies! All ages. 12pm-10.45pm; day tickets from £65.45/weekend tickets SOLD OUT/under 12s FREE (Jul 15-16)

Fri-Sun: Madame Tussauds presents the Sherlock Holmes Experience, Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LR (Baker St tube)
Just a little down the road from Sherlock Holmes’ fictional residence, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, Madame Tussauds is paying its own tribute to the detective of legend with the launch of a brand new permanent exhibition. Go on an theatrical live walkthrough adventure into the atmospheric basement of the museum, where you can find clues to the sleuth’s location while wearing his iconic deerstalker. The always exciting Les Enfants Terrible add extra mischief and invention to this experience with sound effects, illusion and a limited-run evening show-cum-investigative challenge – The Game’s Afoot. Expect lamp lit Victorian streets, misty moors and more than a few surprises! All ages welcome. Madame Tussauds is open 9.30am-5.30pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-6pm (Sat-Sun) – last daily show for Sherlock Holmes at 6.20pm; experience included with regular entry tickets from adult £23.79/child £20.65 (Jul 15-ongoing)

Sat: Something Happening for Kids Festival at The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, WC1H 9PY UK (Euston/King’s Cross St Pancras tube, rail)
The annual one-day family festival at the famous dance arena, offers a variety of performances and workshops to get your groove on. Take part in family yoga sessions and street dance classes, experience awesome juggling shows, Project Prehistoric – a roaring Jurassic adventure, Rosalita’s live Brazilian band, the world’s first mobile first aid poetry aka Emergency Poet and more. All ages. Shows £8/£28 for family of 4; family dance activities £3 per person; under 2s FREE; drop-in activities FREE for all ages (Jul 16)

Sat: Arts Depot Love Fest, at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Is Love still all we need? Absolutely and Spiltmilk Dance are inviting everyone to come and join the love-in at Arts Depot this Saturday. This inclusive event welcomes everyone and everything that makes our lives just that little bit more loveable. With a summer fete vibe, the event promises a chance to write love letters, go on a heart-shaped treasure hunt, share the things you love with fellow Londoners, even shoot arrows like Cupid! All ages. 12pm, £5 (Jul 16)

Sat-Sun: Walthamstow Garden Party at Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 5JW (Walthamstow tube)
Last year 34,000 people landed in Lloyd Park for this free annual weekender of live music, culture and family fun. We’d be wrong not to mention that you can find Big Apple Hot Dogs (aka the Babe papa) amongst the many street food traders to enjoy. There’s also vibrant street theatre, circus acts, Barbican pop-up cinema, Mini Garden Party for under 5s. On the stage, you can catch Asian Dub Foundation, Ana Tijoux, one of Brazil’s biggest rappers Emicida and other acts. All ages. 12pm-9.30pm (Sat) & 12pm-8pm (Sun); FREE (Jul 16-17)

Sat-Sun: Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, Brixton, London SE24 0PA (Brixton, Clapham North tube/Herne Hill rail)
Every year Brockwell Park becomes a welly-wanging, sheep-shearing haven as the Lambeth Country Show brings the best of country living to the heart of south London. Vauxhall City Farm hosts a pop-up farmyard where you can pet their friendly creatures; there’s also sheepdog trials and bird of prey displays; farmer’s markets; sports activities; crafts workshops; and loads of live reggae, afrobeat, roots, soul, ska and samba music and food stalls to keep the atmosphere lively for all ages. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Jul 16-17)

Sat-Sun: Serpentine Gallery Family Weekend: Form, Perform, Transform, Go!, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
This weekend sees a special family friendly activity aimed at exploring the new Serpentine Pavilion and Summer Houses installations. Join artist Renata Bandeira from Brazil as she leads young ones and their carers in a discovery session and collective art piece. Draw lines, shift shapes and capture movement to create a geometric blueprint for others to follow. All ages. 1pm-5pm; FREE (Jul 16-17)

Sat-Sun: Finding Dory at London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
To celebrate the launch of the brilliant new Disney Pixar animation Finding Dory (full review coming soon!), Sea Life London Aquarium welcomes visitors to dive in and discover more about the fishy heroes. Take an interactive trail to learn more about blue tangs like Dory, clownfish like Nemo and other Disney Pixar featured marine animals. There’s an exclusive Finding Dory reward for all completed trails. All ages. From 10am daily; online saver tickets from adult £19.95/child £14.50/under 3s FREE, pre-booking advised (discounts available online) (Jul 16-Sep 11)

Sun: Citadel Festival at Victoria Park, Crown Gate, Victoria Park, Grove Road, Bow, London E3 5TB (Mile End tube)
Following on from Lovebox festival, a more relaxed session of live gigs, feasting, fashion boutiques and talk from the brains behind Superfly and Wilderness. Caribou, Lianne La Havas, Beardy Man, Sigur Ros, Calexico and others take the stage. Elsewhere there’s a sports day for families,
Kid’s Roller Disco, superhero training, Disco Dodgeball, Hackney Playbus and more! All ages. 12pm-10.30pm; adult or child age 12+ £49.50/child 6-11 £5/under 5s FREE; feast tickets £36 for ages 10+ (under 10s may accompany parents but won’t be served food) (Jul 17)

We also like
LAST CHANCE to catch the Harlequin Euro Festival in Devonshire Square, with free music and dance shows to celebrate European cultures, languages and folk traditions (ends Thu); find anime, quirky trends and more at Hyper Japan festival at Olympia (Fri-Sun); see an enchanting family adaptation of Midsummer Nights Dream from Box Tale Soup for ages 6+ (Sat); enjoy free tennis lessons for all ages across London and the UK with the Great British Tennis Weekend (Sat-Sun); come along to a free, family friendly Eid Celebration at Dishoom on Lewis Cubitt Square, Kings Cross (Sun); and don’t miss, one of the world’s largest comedy festivals, Just for Laughs Festival takes over Russell Square for 10 days, some kid-friendly shows available (Jul 14-24)

London Kids Cinema Listings

A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.

Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Matilda (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jul 16)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Ratchet & Clank at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jul 16)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Silent Film Festival Kids Club Special: Steamboat Bill Jr at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jul 16)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Lion King at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jul 16)

Rio Cinema Saturday Morning Kids Club, 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
James and the Giant Peach at 11am; Child £3/Adult £4 (Jul 16)

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Top Cat Begins at 12.30pm; £10 (film only), £15 (includes ice cream, movie and popcorn + prosecco for grown-ups) or £20 (includes buffet lunch + snacks and prosecco) (Jul 16)

Rich Mix Kids Cine Time, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Fantastic Mr Fox (PG) at 12pm; £1.75 (Jul 16-17)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG); adult £11.75/child £4 (Jul 17)

Check out our Parent & Baby cinema guide;
Our London Kids Cinema page launches soon, and don’t miss our picks for Top 150 Family Films!