It’s Eid in Trafalgar Square as central London celebrates the end of Ramadan, but if you’re not up for a massive throw-down, there are lots of smaller family-friendly events to take the kids this weekend.
Sat: City Life Family Festival at Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, EC3 (Liverpool Rd tube)
It’s a second outing for this annual shebang with face painting, circus skills, African dance, Zumba workshops, Wii Fit tent, bouncy castle, fire engine, under 5s soft play and loads more activities plus Peppa Pig! 12-5pm, free (Sep 24)
Sat: Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Join in an afternoon dance party to showcase a pair of designer shoes created by Aamu Song of Helsinki-based Company, in association with the Finnish Institute of London. For ages 2-5. From 2-4pm, free (Sep 24)
Sat: The Light Garden at Stratford Circus, Theatre Sq, E15 (Stratford train)
It’s a cinematic camping experience for kids where they can smouldering campfires, explore caves and pebbles and watch the sky shift from dawn to dusk. All part of a day of family activities celebrating the 10th birthday for Stratford Circus. Ages 18 months to 4. Performance times at 30 min. intervals between 11.30am-5pm, £7/£5 concs. (Sep 24)
Sat-Sun: The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites at Arts Depot, 5 Nether St, Tally Ho Corner N12
Eric Carle’s classic about a caterpillar who goes on a picnic rampage is brought to the stage using glow-in-the-dark puppetry. Kids can also follow the adventures of the shape-shifting Little Cloud and the Mixed Up Chameleon. For ages 2+. 12pm & 3pm, returns only. NB: Extra show on Sat at 10am added by popular demand, tickets on sale from Sep 21. (Sep 24-25)
Local Pick
Sun: The Big Draw’s Big Splash at Kings Place, York Way, N1 (King’s Cross)
Quentin Blake launches a day of illustration with top artists hosting workshops and the chance for visitors of all ages to Make a Comic in a day, try Doodle Cook recipes, emblazon a jacket with badges or board a Floating Studio to sketch waterside views on the canal. 12-5pm, free, drop-in (book for timed sessions). (Sep 25)
