The first weekend of February half-term in London is shaping up to be a corker. Here’s our choice of what to do with the kids that might be fun for you too!
Fri/ongoing: The Muppets, cinemas across London
Kermit, the fabulous Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang are back for this rip-roaring family comedy in which Jim Henson’s beloved creations go on a quest to save the Muppet Theatre from an evil takeover. Varying times and prices, check cinema. (opens Feb 10)
Fri-Sun: Around Jules Verne in 80 Minutes at Lion and Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town, NW5 (Kentish Town West tube)
This lively show for all the family is a madcap dash through the literary romps of Jules Verne, author of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and other adventures. Expect belly laughs. 7.30pm (Fri) & 3pm (Sat-Sun); £9-£11 (Feb 10-12)
Sat: Operation Alphabet signing with Al MacCuish at the Idler Academy, 81 Westbourne Park Rd, W2 (Westbourne Park tube)
The coffeehouse, school and loafer’s paradise welcomes author Al MacCuish to a morning of chat and signing of his brilliant children’s book, Operation Alphabet. Read our review. 11am-1pm, FREE (Feb 11)
Sat: Carnival of the Animals at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Elephants trumpet, lions roar and kangaroos bounce as the National Youth Orchestra take listeners on an imaginative journey through the animal kingdom. For all ages, part of the Imagine Children’s Festival. 12.30pm, 2pm & 5.15pm; FREE (Feb 11)
Sun: LolliBop Mini Disco at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt St, Elephant & Castle, SE1 (Elephant & Castle tube)
It’s a mini TKO as diddy disco queens and kings descend on the infamous club for an afternoon of grooving, beatboxing and DJ workshops, hoola hooping, bubble shows and more. Plus special guests Dick and Dom and Scooby Doo. 12-5pm, £10 adv. (Feb 12)
Sun: Deloitte Family Day: Making Sense at Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 (Lancaster Gate tube)
Explore every sense with artists and designers in a workshop for all ages, inspired by the Lygia Pape exhibition Magnetized Space. Drop-in, 12-5pm; FREE (Feb 12)
Local Pick
Sat-Sun: The Gruffalo’s Child Singalong Show at Lillian Bayliss Studio, Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Ave, EC2 (Angel tube)
Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and her husband Malcolm take to the stage with live band for a fun singalong and enactment of her popular stories. There will be signings by the author, illustrator Axel Scheffler and a surprise appearance from the Gruffalo himself. 1pm & 4pm, £10/family £35 (Feb 11 & 12)
Want more? Check out our February Family Calendar and keep a look out for our Half Term Guide
