Things are hotting up and there’s so much action for London kids and families this weekend – from a boat party on the Thames to a big groovy bus in Angel. Yer dancing? We’re asking!
Sat: Bright Sparks at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 (Archway tube)
Shake, rattle and roll at a morning of family-friendly live music with Steve Grocott on mandolin and guitar, action rhymes, music-making toys and lots of audience participation. For ages 2-6. 10-10.45am and 11.30am-12.15pm, £4.50/£3 concs. (May 27)
Sat: The Muppets at Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland St, E8 (Dalston Kingsland overground)
Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fuzzy Bear and the rest of the original crew on this madcap adventure to save the Muppet Theatre from doom. There’s singing, dancing and laughs and it’s as much fun for old school Muppet fans as for their mini Animals! 11am, adult £3/child £2 (May 27)
Sat: Disney Pixar Retrospective Season: Toy Story at Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2 (Leicester Square tube)
The full Disney Pixar Retrospective season kicks off with the original Toy Story starring Woody, Buzz and a whole mess of playthings. Animated classics will run at the cinema at weekend matinees and some evenings (Tues) until August. 1.30pm, £6.50/members £4 (May 26-Aug 11)
Sat: The Selfish Giant at the Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Rd, NW6 (Kilburn tube)
Sea Legs Puppet Theatre presents a spectacular adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s tale about a giant that changes his ways after hearing a beautiful tune. Set in a magnificent steel-walled garden. 11.30am & 2pm, £6/adv £5 (May 27)
Sat-Sun: HMS Belfast Family Weekender at HMS Belfast, the Queen’s Walk (off Tooley St), SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Everything’s ship-shape for the grand reopening of the historic ship, with a weekend of family activities including exploring the on-site exhibits, simulated gun firings, live music and boat deck BBQ! 10am-6pm, general admission prices adult £14/child under 16 FREE (May 26-27)
Sat-Mon: ProSvet (About Light): Children’s Art Exhibition at Sotheby’s, 34-35 New Bond St, W1 (Bond St tube)
The Gift of Life foundation presents a charity exhibition featuring 30 works selected by Sotheby’s experts and created by children undergoing treatment for cancer in Moscow clinics. Each stunning art piece conveys the life-affirming quality of light and art as well as the healing potential of creative expression. Open workshops at the exhibition (Sat & Sun) will invite children of all ages to make their own light-inspired art and crafts. 12-5pm (Sat-Sun), 9am-3pm (Mon), FREE (May 26-28)
Sun: Big Nature Day at Natural History Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
The annual nature fair returns with drop-in activities including insect carnival, ladybird chase, bee puppet show, pond-dipping and more for all ages. All activities in Darwin Centre and Wildlife Garden. 11am-5pm, FREE (May 27)
Sun: Big Dance Bus (pictured) on White Lion Street, N1 (Angel tube)
The ultimate pop-up dance party rolls into Islington with live performance and workshops from the Routemaster’s resident dance crew. Highlights include Hip Hop Hula Hooping from Charlene Davies (HoolaFest) and Hakeen Onibudo, choreography by Twitch, dance classes in folk, swing, Zumba and hoola hooping, plus a media hub broadcasting live from the top deck. There’s also a chance to learn Wayne Gregory’s Big Dance number for the grand finale in Trafalgar Square! 12-4pm, FREE (May 27)
Sun: Alma Street Party, on and around Alma Street, NW5 (Kentish Town tube)
The annual street fair runs earlier this year (owing to the Olympics) with family activities, kids workshops, street food stalls including Big Apple Hot Dogs, dancing and live main stage with local musicians. 12-6pm, FREE (May 27)
We also like
Chelsea in Bloom (until Sat), BD and Comics Passion Festival at Institut Francais (until Sun), Tales from the Shed at Chickenshed Theatre, Southgate (Fri-Sat), Zippo’s Circus at Finsbury Park, N4 (until Tue), Little Red Hen at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon (Fri-Sat)
Don’t miss our action-packed May Family Events Calendar
