What are you doing with this gorgeous sunshine? I hear it’s not going to last through the weekend, but that’s no reason to stay home.
David Bowie Weekender, Baby Loves Disco, Charlie & Lola’s New Play, Mexican Children’s Day…
There is SO much happening around London for kids and families and you should just see what’s lining up for next Bank Holiday weekend.
Whatever you do, enjoy (and pack a brolly)!
Thu-Sat: Junior Style Sales Pop-Up at That Place on the Corner, 1-3 Green Lanes, N16 (Highbury & Islington tube)
Shop for stylish tots at the designer children’s clothing sale with up to 75% off top brands including Oh Baby London, No Added Sugar, Molo, Petit Bateau and Snuglo. The sale’s held in the very popular children’s cafe with refreshments and children’s play area on offer. 10am-4.30pm, FREE
Thu-Sun: Pick me Up Fair at Somerset House, the Strand, WC1 (Charing Cross tube)
The brilliant graphic arts festival rounds off with style blogger Bip Ling introducing new illustrated character Mooch (Thu 2-9pm), mask making with Studio Boo (Fri 11am-5pm); plus Children’s Weekend of activities including Emily Forgot’s Nursery Names workshop (Sat 11am-5pm); (SunScavenger Hunt (Sat 10am-5pm); modelling with Aardman’s Jim Parkyn (Sat & Sun 11.30am & 2.30pm), and the Zoom’s Muckburgers Burger Bar game (Sun 11am-5pm). Plus amazing art from the rising stars of graphic design for sale on exhibit. 10am-6pm daily, or until 10pm on Thu; £8/concs £6/festival pass £15 (until Apr 28)
Fri-Sun: David Bowie Weekender at V&A Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
One of pop culture’s greatest icons is the subject of a family-friendly weekend of celebration, in line with the exhibition David Bowie Is. There are talks, installations, workshops, Bowie face painting, a screening of Labyrinth, crazy costume designs and more for all ages. Tickets for the exhibition itself are limited but can be bought on the day or ahead of the event. See the full programme. 10am-5.45pm, drop-in, FREE (Apr 26-28)
Sat: Baby Loves Disco: Pyjama Party at Sway, 61-65 Great Queen St, Covent Garden, WC2 (Apr 27)
Party in your jim-jams at one of London’s hippest night spots, transformed for an afternoon boogie with the knee-high crowd. The club boasts 4 rooms to groove in, from the glitterballs and flashing dancefloors of Groovy Wonderland to the chilled out Milk and Cream. DJs Rob Pursey and DJ Dub will be spinning big tunes to get all ages in the mood. 1-4pm, £9.95/non-walkers FREE (Apr 27)
Sat: Great Brixton Bake-Off II, Brixton Station Rd Market, SW9 (Brixton tube)
Hot on the heels (or buns) of last year’s success, the baking extravaganza serves up six categories Cakes, cupcakes, savouries, biscuits & bites, vegan and bread with prizes to be won. Plus live music and dancing at noon and from 10am-12pm a Monstrous Baking Kids Crafts Session! 10am-5pm, FREE
Sat: Framed Family Film: Kooky + Dada Puppet Workshop at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC1
Following the screening of Kooky, a charming tale of a lost toy that comes to life, join puppeteer Isobel Smith in a photomontage of puppetry and make a puppet to take home with you. Film 11am-12.30pm, £2/Workshop 12-3.30pm; FREE (Apr 27)
Sat-Sun: Charlie & Lola’s Extremely New Play at Polka Theatre
The ever popular brother and sister duo are back with a brand new production, blending music, puppetry and laughs. Follow Charlie and best friend Marv, Lola and best friend Lotta and of course Sizzles the dog on a magical new adventure. For ages 4+, apart from special Watch with Baby shows for under 4s. Shows from 10.30am (times and dates vary); £15/concs. £11/£10 Saver Shows: 4 May 4 (12.30pm), May 29 (11am, Watch with Baby show), Jun 23 (3.30pm), Aug 1 (2.30pm, Watch with Baby show), Aug 13 (11am) (Apr 27-Aug 17)
Sat-Sun: Mexican Children’s Day at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Celebrate this Mexican holiday over two days at the popular museum, in collaboration with Mexican restaurant Wahaca. Make pinatas and baleros (Mexican toys), design a mask or get your face painted Mexican style, enjoy Mexican folk tales and watch a traditional Mexican dance performed by children. 11.15-4pm, FREE (Apr 27-28)
Sat-Sun: Little Howard’s Big Show at Udderbelly, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
From the creators of hit CBBC show Little Howard’s Big Question, this lively show blends animation, magic and comedy. Experience mindblowing interactive animation, an orchestra of monkeys and more as Little Howard attempts to save Big Howard from being jailed for being unfunny. For ages 3+. 2.30pm (Apr 27-28) & 4.15pm (Apr 28, May 18-19); £10-£15 (premium) (Apr 28-May 19)
Sun: Not so Silent Movies at Kings Place, York Way, N1 (King’s Cross tube)
The madcap family film series with live orchestra accompanying classic silent films, takes on a rock twist this weekend. Special guests Andy Mackay and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music will be joining the house band for some lively improv. For all ages. 2.30pm, £12.50-£14.50/online savers £9.50 (Apr 28)
Sun: Sci Fi London Parade at Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Rd, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
Geeks go marching at the annual Sci Fi London Parade, a chance to dress up as your favourite science fiction character — anyone from Dr. Who to Star Wars villians or superheroes. From 1.30m, FREE but register ahead if possible. (Apr 28)
LOCAL PICKS
Sat: Back to the Future at Screen on the Green, Islington Green, Upper St, N1 (Angel tube)
Settle into the comfy armchairs at this plush Everyman Cinema and take a trip back in time, with this ‘80s classic starring Michael J Fox. It’s skateboarding, time-travelling and Christopher Lloyd at his wackiest. 10.30am, adult + child £5 (Apr 27)
Sun: Family Workshop: (T)here at Parasol Unit, 14 Wharf Rd, N1 (Angel/Old St tube)
Inspired by Navid Nuur’s playful use of words in the current exhibition T-Here, artist educator Alexandra Hughes teaches families how to blend colours, words and textures using fabric, paper, watercolours, inks and pen. For ages 5+ (younger siblings welcome). 2.30-4pm, £5 per family (Apr 28)
We also like
Sundance Film Festival kicks off at O2 today (Thu-Sun); family-friendly eats and good vibes at Street Feast in Haggerston, 5pm-late (every Fri); Comedy for Kids at Southbank Centre (Sat); Secret Cinema relaunches at hush-hush location; London Coffee Festival for all you sleepless mamas and papas (Thu-Sun); it’s Family Farm Day at Claremont Landscape Gardens in Esher (Sun); family make & do workshops at Camden Arts Centre every weekend (Sun)
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