There’s so much happening for kids and families in London this weekend, from Red Nose Day to St Patrick’s Day parade. Don’t let the dodgy weather put you off. Get out there and have fun!
Fri-Sun: The Ideal Home Show at Earl’s Court, SW5 (Earl’s Court tube)
Get in the mood for serious spring cleaning at the massively popular annual show for interiors and home design. Explore the latest in fine furnishings, funky tech, home improvements, gardening, health & beauty, homes of the future and more. Pick up gifts and treats and stuff yourself in the amazing food section. 10am-6pm, adult from £10 (advance)-£18.50 (weekend price)/child under 16 FREE (Mar 15-Apr 1)
Sat-Sun: The Big Bang Fair at ExCel London (Custom House DLR)
Mini geeks take over ExCel London at the UK’s largest fair for young scientists and engineers. There’s a massive show floor filled with interactive exhibits, demos and experiments and the fair has been a huge crowd-puller for kids ages 7+. Only Sat/Sun tickets available. 11am-5.30pm, FREE but registration essential at www.thebigbangfair.co.uk. (Mar 14-17)
Sat-Sun: HMS Belfast Celebrates 75th Birthday, at HMS Belfast, off Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
We’ve loved our visits to HMS Belfast and there’s no better time to go than on her 75th birthday bash. There will be special craft activities including medallion making and learning Morse Code for kids, gun firing demonstrations, a chance to meet veterans, and live Irish music. 11am-4pm, adult £14.50/child under 16 FREE (Mar 16-17)
Sat-Sun: The Big Write at Discover Story Centre, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
It’s the final weekend for this brilliant festival of storytelling. Join story builder for tales and rhymes, meet Polly Dunbar (Penguin), Guy Parker–Rees (Tom and Millie’s Great Big Treasure Hunt) and Martin Brown (Horrible Histories). 11am-5pm, adult £7/child £6.50/family £24 (Mar 16-17)
Sun: St Patrick’s Day Parade, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross Rd)
Wear your green with pride and head to central London for the annual parade of colourful costumes, marching bands and street theatre. The parade starts in Piccadilly at noon, heads along Lower Regent St and Pall Mall and winds up in Trafalgar Square. Here the party continues with live music and comedy, kids corner and food stalls. 12-6pm, FREE (Mar 17)
Sun: OAE Tots at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment returns to the centre with their ever popular series of classical concerts for the very young. Hear great music and let the little ones interact with the players. 10am and 11.30am, adult £9/tot £1/under 2s FREE (Mar 17)
Sun: Not so Silent Movies at King’s Place, York Way, N1 (King’s Cross)
A lively treat for the whole family as the NSSM house band plus yet-to-be-announced special guests (past guests have included Jarvis Cocker!) play spontaneous music to accompany a classic silent film. For all ages. 2.30pm, £12.50-£14.50/online savers £9.50 (Mar 17)
Sun: Baby Rave at Pirate Castle, Oval Rd, NW1 (Camden tube)
Camden’s favourite family-friendly disco are throwing another Love Ball to get little feet grooving. There’s dance floor beats, baby chill out, snacks, dress-up and more for kids ages 0-7 and their entourage. 3.30-5pm, adult £4/child £3/non-walkers FREE (Mar 17)
Sun: Mwalimu Express: African Family Culture Club at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (Bethnal Green tube)
Our favourite African family throwdown brings live music from the continent, Screen Station showing African films, toddler dance, boardgames, stalls and more for a chilled-out Sunday afternoon. 2-6pm, FREE (Mar 17)
LOCAL PICK
Sat-Sun: Tiger Tracks Family Weekend (pictured) at St Pancras International, NW1 (King’s Cross/St. Pancras)
Visit the world’s largest public event to save wild tigers, featuring amazing Tigers are not Rubbish exhibits, and this weekend a special Tiny Tigers programme with face painting, Indian drummers, Wild Thing Dance area, storytelling, art for cubs, biscuit decorating at Carluccios (pre-booking and charges apply), Tiger who came to Tea party at Des Vins (charges apply) and a tiger fancy dress contest run by Hamleys, with prizes to be won! 11am-4pm, FREE (Mar 16-17)
We also like
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland debuts at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (from Fri), My Brother the Robot at Chelsea Theatre (Sat), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is playing at Barbican Centre Family Film Club (Sat), Grimm Tales adapted by Carol Ann Duffy at Polka Theatre (ongoing), Russian Maslenitsa Festival takes over Trafalgar Square (Sat)
Image of Tiger Tracks exhibit via Veolia Environmental Services web site
T-shirts we love: Monster’s Baby!
