It’s Bring Your Grandparents to Museum of London Docklands (Sat) and a big old Sikh knees up at Vaisakhi in Trafalgar Square (Sun). But the whole Bank Holiday weekend is packed with family friendly things to do. Enjoy this special extended edition of our Weekend Scoop and have a good one!
Thu-Mon: London 2012 Olympics Test Events, various venues in Olympic Park, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
Hot tickets are already sold out but some remain for this special pre-Olympic series billed as ‘2012 hours to go’ until the main event. On the menu are Athletics, Water Polo, Paralympic Athletics, Wheelchair Tennis, Boccia and Hockey. Visit London Prepares web site for details of upcoming test events. (May 2-8)
Thu-Mon: Netherlands National Circus, Wanstead Flats, Wanstead, E12 (Wanstead Park)
One of Europe’s most popular touring circuses returns with a sensational show of acrobatics, juggling, slapstick, aerial skills and more – no animal acts.4.45pm & 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 2pm (Sat), 1pm & 3.30pm (Sun), 12.30pm, 3pm & 5.30pm (Mon); ticket range adult £9-£21/child £7-£15 (includes online discounts) (until May 8)
Sat: Saturday Puppet Club and Crafty Kids at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
It’s the kick-off of the popular Saturday Puppet Club (ages 5-11) and Crafty Kids (ages 2-5) run by the Islington institution. This year, participants in the courses will be invited to parade their creations at the Little Angel Summer Party in July celebrating the 350th birthday of Punch & Judy. 9.45-11am or 11.30am-12.45pm, £85/£60 concs (ages 5-11) and £90/£65 concs. per child/carer pair (ages 2-5) (May 5-Jul 7)
Sat-Sun: Modern Movement Weekend at Brockwell Lido, Dulwich Rd, SE24 (Herne Hill rail)
The annual design fair presents a chance to browse art from local students, vintage furniture and design with gourmet food and BBQ, multi-sports activities for kids and the Big Jump – a plunge at 12pm to mark the start of open-air swimming. 10am-4pm, FREE (May 5-6)
Sat-Mon: Chorus Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
A whole weekend celebration of how singing can change the world, with vocal sessions in aid of dementia, homeless, equality and special family workshops including Singalong Oliver! (Sat, 4pm) and a chance to perform with iGospel (Mon) and South Africa’s Mbawula (Mon). Varying times and performances, workshops are FREE (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W2 (Warwick Ave tube)
Celebrate London’s waterways at this unique family festival featuring traditional entertainment including Morris dancers, kids activities, food and stalls and a stunning illuminated boat procession on Sunday night. 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun), 9pm illuminated boats(Sun), 10am-5pm (Mon), FREE (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: Breakin’ Convention 2012 at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1 (Angel tube)
Hosted and curated by Jonzi D, the annual 3-day hip hop fiesta prepares to tear the roof off with live graffiti showcase, workshops including a Tiny Totrock kids session, MC and beatbox demos and of course crazy moves from the likes of all-female troupe Boadicea and disabled crew Ill Abilities. Doors open 4pm, shows from 6pm, £15-£20 (May 5-7)
Sat-Tue: Toddle in the City at Canary Wharf, E14 (Canary Wharf tube)
Little feet go on a big adventure armed with digital cameras in this photographic Treasure Hunt, devised by Urban Beings. Collected images from the Toddles will be exhibited on May 27 at Greenwich Maritime Museum. For ages 2-5, siblings welcome. 11am-12pm or 2-3pm; £12.50 per adult and child, pre-booking essential (May 5-8)
Sun: Shrek the Musical Family Day at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
To celebrate the anniversary of the musical that’s been painting the town green, London families are invited to a free day of fun. There’s a chance to meet the cast, hear fairytale readings, do arts and crafts and win Shrektacular prizes. 11am-2pm, FREE (May 6)
Mon: Brixton Windmill Recycling Festival and Parade from Tate Library, Windrush Square, SW2 (Brixton tube)
Stretch your creativity at this family fun day with a recycling theme by making a recycled bug or dragonfly to parade and decorate the railings. There will be good grub, music, activities for kids and more in Windmill Gardens, plus brief tours of the Brixton Windmill. Gather from 12.15pm, parade starts 1pm, party 2-6pm; FREE (May 7)
Mon: One Bigg Magical Party at the Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High St, SW7 (High Street Kensington tube)
Wizards, elves, fairies and other mystical creatures are invited to this magical showcase of London’s top family entertainers. Up on the chic Roof Gardens, enjoy gardening, cooking and crafts sessions, ice cream and sandwich making contests, live acts and more fun than you can shake a wand at. For ages 2-10, siblings welcome, plus tea and pampering for grown-ups! 11am-4.30pm, adult £15/child £20/family £60. NB: Sold Out but waiting list open (May 7)
Mon: May Day on the Docks at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (West India Quay DLR)
Come and enjoy a traditional day of festivities including making a Jack in the Green for luck, storytelling, chimney sweep folklore, a chance to join in the procession and of course Morris Dancing! 11am, drop-in, FREE (May 7)
We also like
Spray Away Family Workshop at Somerset House (Sat), Hare & Tortoise at Stratford Circus (Sat), Hoola Fest at Camden Crawl (Sat), Funday Sunday: Coronation Cookies at Whiteleys (Sun), May Day at Freightliners Farm, N1 (Mon), Board Games and Beyond at Hackney Picturehouse (Mon)