The kids are running tings at Southbank Centre for the Imagine Children’s Festival, with little people taking charge behind the scenes and centre stage.
The two-week literary and musical shebang is jam-packed with family fun. Check out our 12 picks for kids ages 0 to 5:
Babies & Toddlers
1. Dr Octopus and his Wheels of Steel (Feb 13-21)
Hip hop, poetry and live DJ set by Charlie Dark for babies up to age 2. 10.15am, FREE
2. Baby O (Feb 21-25)
Enter a secret sound garden of busy bees and splashing fish, aimed at ages 6-18 months. £6 (1 adult + 1 child)
Ages 3 to 5
3. Close Up with Charles Hazlewood (Feb 11)
250 local school kids join the Philharmonia Orchestra in a concert of music and painting. 4pm, £10/child half-price
4. Boom Boom’s Bow (Feb 17)
Help Boom Boom find his bow with Emmy winning jazz artist Lea DeLaria. For babies up. 1pm, FREE
5. LPO Funharmonics Family Concert (Feb 19)
Rediscover the Jungle Book in this magical, musical retelling. 12pm, adult £10-£18/child half-price
Ages 5 and up
6. Imagine Craft Pavilion (Feb 11-19)
Be prepared for messy, creative play with publishers introducing their fave kids’ characters. Ages 5 to 12 (younger ones welcome). Drop-in 10.30am-4pm, FREE
7. Become a Superhero (Feb 16)
Discover your secret superpower with artist Laura X Carle and be photographed! 11am, FREE
8. Cookie Making at Skylon (Feb 25)
Learn to roll, decorate and bake tasty treats with Exec Chef Helena Puolakka. Ages 5+ (also see Mini Ninja Sushi School)
All the Family
9. The Gastronaut Presents Disgusting Recipes (Feb 26)
Stefan Gates of BBC’s Gastronauts cooks up mischief. 12.30pm, adult £8/child £4
10. Voicelab’s SuperPower Family Sing (Feb 17)
Capes and masks on for a costumed singalong for all ages and abilities. 3pm, FREE
11. London Children’s Book Swap (Feb 25)
Swap and share books in a cross-town celebration of reading. 10am-6pm, FREE
12. Family Ballroom Dance (Feb 26)
Tango with your toddler, waltz with grandma in a swinging finale. 12pm, FREE
All this is just a taster of the festival that includes author meet and greets at the Imagine Fringe stage, a festival funfair, special guests Francesca Simon, Jessica Crowell, Jacqueline Wilson and Andy Stanton, Roger McGough and Jackie Kay, James Campbell’s Comedy for Kids, MacKenzie Crooks (The Office) and much more!
Visit Imagine Children’s Festival web site
