Weekend Scoop for London Kids & Families (Feb 21-24, 2013)

There are still a few days left to wring out of the February Half Term holiday, so if our Top 20 Half-Term picks aren’t enough to exhaust the little ones, here are some more things to do with kids around London this weekend. Enjoy!

Thu-Sat: No Fear at Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Created for the very young, this light and funny dance theatre production follows Vashti and her grandfather on a journey to find a lost cat, encountering a series of challenges along the way. Stimulating costumes and sets and live music for ages 2-4. 11am & 2pm, adult £10/child £5 (Feb 20-23)

Thu-Sun: Food Explorer at Westfield Stratford City, E20 (Stratford tube/overground)
Tuck into a special celebration of meals from around the world at one of 70 different restaurants at the shopping centre. There’s a free booklet packed with recipes and tips on where to eat, dining offers including Kids Eat Free and plenty for taste buds to explore through February. Westfield Stratford opening times 10am-9pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-9pm (Sat), 12-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (until Feb 28)

Thu-Sun: Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
One of the best events of the year, the Imagine Children’s Festival is non-stop fun throughout half-term. This week’s highlights include comedy theatre The Queen’s Knickers (until 22), Dinosaur Petting Zoo (18-20), Fun with Spot (22), Peter Rabbit Puppet Show (22) and Boom Boom’s Bow jazz for kids (Feb 22). Times and prices vary, many events are FREE (until 24)

Fri: Big and Small Family Day at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1 (Pimlico tube)
Explore the art and architecture of the museum in this special family event where you can make cardboard sculptures, create music with musicians, unearth the hidden soundtracks of art works and bring your paintings to life. 10am-3pm, FREE (Feb 22)

Fri-Sun: Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass(pictured), Henrietta Barnett School Theatre, Central Square, NW11 7BN (Golders Green tube)
Catch the Lewis Carroll classic fable in an enchanting new adaptation by Garden Suburb Theatre. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into a weird and wonderful world of Mad Hatters, crazy croquet, grinning cats and bewitching mirrors. Every ticket holder gets entered into a prize draw to win a handmade flamingo puppet (main pic)! 7.30pm (Fri), 3pm & 7.30pm (Sat) & 3pm (Sun); £12/£9 concs. (Feb 22-Mar 2)

Sat: Mini Maestro at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
These rousing concerts with the LMA Orchestra brings classical music to life for kids ages 4+. There’s hands-on discovery, storytelling and this week’s soundtrack is Beethoven’s 7th Symphony & Ode to Joy. 4.30pm, adult £8/child £6 (Feb 23)

Sat: Baby Loves Disco: Mardi Gras at Sway, 61-65 Great Queen St, WC2 (Covent Garden)
Get on down to this family disco with a Carnival theme for February half-term. There’s DJs spinning funky tunes, baby chill out corner and dress up box. 1-4pm, £9 all walking humans/non-walkers FREE (Feb 23)

Sun: Unveiling the Past at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton overground)
It’s another great day out for families with arts and crafts workshops including a chance to decorate a mug Art Deco style; writing workshops for older kids; Geffrye Explorers packs and a workshop with Chocolate Films to create a collaborative stop motion animation (all ages). 12-4.30pm, FREE (Feb 24)

LOCAL PICK

Fri: Kids Magic Show at That Place on the Corner, 1-6 Green Lanes, Newington Green, N16 (Highbury & Islington tube)
Enjoy a night out with the little ones, kicking off with a special Magic Show for kids, followed by an enjoyable dinner where Kids Eat Free! Every Fri, 6-8pm, FREE entry (Feb 22)

We also like
Go on a Journey to Space at Discover Story Centre, Stratford (ongoing); build your own newspaper Skyscrapers at Museum of London Docklands (Fri); Zippo’s Circus is at Brent Cross Shopping Centre (until Sun); and Broadgate Ice Rink is closing for the season (until Sun