I’m back from my travels and have scooped up some tasty ideas for things to do with kids and families in London this weekend. Our guide features sand castles on stage, the Lord Mayor’s Show and Remembrance Day events for children.
We’ll be back to our regular Thursday slot next week — thanks for your patience!
Sat: Circles in the Sand at Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Rd, E1 (Limehouse rail/DLR)
Don’t miss this intimate and fun performance for ages 0-3 filled with buckets and sand castles, sensory exploration and a chance for kids and carers to get stuck in at the end of the show. 11am, 2pm & 3.30pm; £6/babes-in-arms FREE (Nov 10)
Sat: The Lord Mayor’s Show, City of London (Bank, St. Paul’s, Mansion House and Blackfriars tube)
The dazzling procession to welcome Alderman winds its way through the City of London, featuring horses, carriages, vintage cars and a Sherman tank. No fireworks this year but a flotilla instead, so keep your eyes on the waterways. 11am-2.30pm, FREE (Nov 10)
Sat: Santa’s Grotto at Duke of York Square, off King’s Rd, SW3 (Sloane Square tube)
Is he here already? Line up in the magical Lapland setting to meet Santa himself, take a photo, catch up with old Red Nose and maybe bag an early Xmas gift. 10am-5.45pm throughout November (Sats), extra opening times in December 10am-5.45pm (Wed-Sat), 11am-4.45pm (Sun); FREE (Nov 10-Dec 23)
Sat-Sun: Discover Dogs at Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre, SW5 (Earl’s Court tube)
It’s Top of the Pups as thousands converge for the city’s biggest dog show, with four-legged buddies on display and a Kids Zone plus Young Kennel Club for ages 6+. 10am-5pm, adult £12/child 12-15 £8/under 12s FREE (Nov 10-11)
Sat-Sun: Super Daisy at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High St Stratford, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
What would happen if Planet Pea collided with Planet Earth? We might be forced to eat peas with everything! Find out how Super Daisy saves the day in this enchanting storytelling session featuring the heroine created by Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt. Suitable for ages 2+. 12.30, 1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm, £4.50/under 2s FREE (Nov 10-11)
Sat-Sun: Lest We Forget at RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 (Colindale tube)
Children can join in with Remembrance Day by decorating a petal to add to the poppy collage at RAF Museum or adding a plaque to the Remembrance Wall. There will be 2 minutes silence observed on Sunday. 10am-6pm, FREE (Nov 10-11)
Sat-Sun: A Poppy Field at Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube/train)
Special Remembrance Day event for kids to make their own poppy with paper and wire and plant it in the field. They can take a picture of the poppy and share it on social media using hashtag #poppyfield. Then let them loose in the IWM kids play zone. 11am-5pm, FREE
Sun: Hedgehog’s Home at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, WC2 (Holborn tube)
Charming operatic tale of Hedgemond the Hunter who teaches a grumpy bear and a greedy boar that there’s no place like home. Told through music and poetry. 2pm, adult £8/child £5 (Nov 11)
We also like
Watch fireworks and eat Big Apple Hot Dogs at the King Alfred School Fireworks Night in Hampstead, NW3 (Sat, from 4pm); browse at the Vintage Fair at Cecil Sharp House, NW3 (Sun); catch A Monster in Paris at Rich Mix cinema in Shoreditch (Sat-Sun); gawp at Zippos Circus in Old Deer Park, Richmond (until Sun)
