Weekend Scoop for London Families (Oct 18-21, 2012)

I’m heading out of town for a while, but that hasn’t stopped me scouting for fabulous family activities in London this weekend. From a Wonderland by the Thames to Disney’s Fantasia live concert, London kids and parents are spoilt for choice. Enjoy!

HOT TICKET

Madagascar Live UK Arena Tour 2013
Follow the wild adventures of Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as the popular Dreamworks animated film of zoo creatures on the loose hits UK stages in a live musical adaptation. Book now for the tour kicking off in Jan 2013. Box Office (all venues): 0844 581 0600/Group Bookings (all venues): 0800 0358 0058. Tickets from just £20 with NO BOOKING FEES*/£99 for a family of four with big discounts for groups of 10+. The show is recommended for ages 3+. (Jan-Mar, 2013)

Thu-Sat: Read for RNIB Day Children’s Literary Wonderland at Hibernia Wharf, Cathedral Square (near Southwark Cathedral) London Bridge, SE1
Enter the rabbit hole and discover a world where reading is brought magically to life, at this three-day celebration by the Thames featuring Mad Hatter corner, live story telling, talking mushrooms and more. 9am-6pm, FREE (Oct 18-20)

Thu-Sun: Sneaking into Fashion at Covent Garden Market Hall Building, North Hall, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
If your boys are anything like mine, they’ll go wild for this exhibition tracking the rise of trainers from functional to fashionista statement. Check out styles from the outlandish (Kanye West’s $90,000 auctioned Yeezy trainers) to the iconic (Mo Farrah’s Nike Gold winning trainers). 9am-7pm, FREE (Oct 18-28)

Fri-Sun: The Bloomsbury Festival 2012, Russell Square and surrounding areas, WC1
An amazing cultural programme of music, words, dance for all the family, with special kids events including screenings of Disney’s Animal Crackers, the Pedal Powered Postman from the Past, make and take workshops, Jazz in the Square and loads more on throughout the weekend. 10am-9pm (varying times and venues), FREE! Check out the full programme at www.bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/programme (Oct 19-21)

Sat: The Big Draw: Drawing Shakespeare’s World at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1 (Russell Square tube)
Using inspiration from a range of objects in the Shakespeare exhibition, artists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to express themselves in a variety of artistic media. 11am-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Oct 20)

Sat: Charity Show: Mike & Andy’s Big Box of Bananas at Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, N12 (West Finchley tube)
When a mysterious box turns up at the apartment of two buddies, all sorts of mayhem ensues. Join Mike from CBeebies and Noah’s Ark Ambassador Andy Day in this slapstick adventure that’s hilarious fun for all ages. All proceeds go to aid Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. 4pm, £10 (Oct 20)

Sat-Sun: The Good Neighbour at Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 (Clapham Junction overground)
A unique interactive experience for visitors young and old where you get to eat together before the show and then explore the old Battersea Town Hall’s hidden passages. There are 3 different journeys by age group: Early Investigators for ages 0-5 to enjoy the BAC play space; a thrilling dash for Young Adventurers ages 6-12; and an outdoor guided tour for Intrepid Explorers ages 13+. 10.30am, 2.30pm & 6.30pm (dates and times vary); adult meal £7/kids’ meal £3; show £8/Early Investigators FREE but booking required (Oct 13-Nov 4)

Sun: Disney Fantasia: Live in Concert at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7
Watch HD screenings of one of Disney’s best-loved animated films, featuring Mickey’s rendition of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, with live accompaniment from the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy the classic score of music including Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. 2.30 & 6.30pm, £15 (Oct 21)

Sun: Funharmonics: That’s All Folk at Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Hear London Philharmonic Orchestra live in action, playing folk classics, then have a go at playing your own instruments or join a human orchestra in the RFH foyers, followed by a Ceilidh in the Clore Ballroom at 1pm. 10am-2.30pm (workshops); 12pm (orchestra); 1pm (Ceilidh); adult £10-£18/child £5-£9/Ceilidh FREE (Oct 21)

Sun: Jonah and the Wailers at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 (Highgate tube)
It’s about to get noisy in the popular theatre as musicians Saul Eisenberg and Susi Evans and storyteller Vanessa Woolf invite kids to join their Junk Orchestra, on this interactive musical odyssey. 1.45pm, 2.15pm, 2.45pm, 3pm & 4pm; £9 (Oct 21)

We also like
Watch firefighters battle in World Rescue Challenge 2012 at ExCel Centre, E16 (Thu-Sat); see the Pop Up Circus at V&A museum of Childhood (Sat-Sun); crunch into the Apple Day at Spitalfields City Farm, E1 (Sun); visit the Dolls House & Miniatures Fair at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 (Sun); join the Harvest Time Family Day at Geffrye Museum, E2 (Sun)