Half-Term holidays are coming up and we’ll have our Half-Term Guide up soon. In the meantime, here are our picks for what to do with the kids in London over the weekend.
Hope everyone had a loving Valentine’s Day!
Fri-Sun: Imagine Children’s Festival (pictured) at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
One of the highlights of the year, the Imagine Children’s Festival is non-stop fun throughout half-term. This weekend alone you can hear Baby French Tales, savour the Real Food Market, follow Beastie, look for Where’s Wally, play in the Lego Book Workshop, take part in the London Children’s Book Swap, catch a Baby Opera and a Babar the Elephant concert, and listen to poets Michael Rosen and John Hegley perform. Times and prices vary, many events are FREE (Feb 11-24)
Fri-Sun: Zippo’s Circus at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Car Park, Prince Charles Drive, NW4 (Hendon Central tube)
Back for another outing, the popular circus features high-flying acts, daring stunts, crazy clowns and twisted acrobatics. 12pm, 3pm, 6pm & 7pm (dates and times vary); adult £8-£21/child £6-£17 (Feb 15-24)
Sat: Selfridges Half-Term Silent Disco at Selfridges, Oxford St, W1 (Bond St tube)
It’s party time to kick off the half-term holiday at Selfridges, with the Kids Floor opening up for a day of fun. There will be appearances by the Gruffalo, face painting, Miss Ballooniverse, book signings by KAS Quinn and a groovy Silent Disco (3-5pm) where you can show off your Gangnam Style moves. Also a chance to win £250 Mattel goodies! 1pm-5pm, FREE (Feb 16)
Sat: London Children’s Book Swap, venues across town
Bring along your favourite reads and swap it for more great books at this annual World Book Day event, featuring participating venues including Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, Discovery Story Centre, Rich Mix, V&A Museum of Childhood, Unicorn Theatre and more. Visit the web site for venue details and times. (Feb 16)
Sat-Sun: Journey to Space at Discover Story Centre, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
Brand new for half-term, this interactive exhibition takes kids on a rocket-ship adventure to explore mysterious planets and strange beings. Prepare for blast off! ; 12-1pm & 3-5pm (Tue-Fri); 11am-5pm (Sat-Sun); £4.50/family £16 (opens Feb 16, ongoing)
Sun: Mwalimu Express African Family Club at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (Shoreditch High St overground)
One of our favourite family-friendly gatherings, the Mwalimu Express heads to Mali this week with live music from West African Blues Project, screening of the film Manuscripts of Timbuktu, parent & toddler dance sessions, craft stalls, food and more! 2-7pm, FREE (Feb 17)
Sun: Baby Rave Love Ball at Pirate Castle, Oval Rd, NW1 (Camden tube)
It’s a Valentine’s edition party for this family disco with a festival vibe and ‘milky corner’ chill out for the littlest ravers. Come and shake your groove thang and dress up as something you LOVE. 3.30-5pm, adult £4-£6/child £3(Feb 17)
Sun-Mon: Imaginary Worlds Family Festival at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
The National Gallery’s first ever family festival is a two-day feast of film screenings including The Wizard of Oz, puppet showings e.g. Arthur’s Dreamboat, pram tours of the exhibitions, art workshops, pop-up orchestras, book signing and more. 10.30am-5pm (event times vary), max charge £3/mostly FREE (Feb 17-18)
We also like
Wind in the Willows at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon (until Sat); The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Sat); Bringing Down the Moon at Jacksons Lane, N6 (Sun); Orchids Exhibition at Kew Gardens, Richmond (ongoing until Mar 3)
Image: LEGO Book Swap at Imagine Children’s Festival, via Southbank Centre
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