Wasn’t it nice to welcome back the sun this week and there’s talk of temperatures entering the teens this weekend! Loads of family activities and things to do with the kids around London in this week’s Scoop.
From yummy Indian grub at Southbank Centre and Street Feast back in Dalston, to Tree Tales in Dulwich and Zoofari animals live in Angel! Have fun.
Thu-Fri: Go Really Wild with Zoofari at N1 Centre, Parkfield St, N1 (Angel tube)
The UK’s largest mobile zoo comes to Angel’s shopping centre for two days only. Come and meet live wallabies, meerkats, African tortoises and even Chilean Rose tarantulas! Experienced Zoofari handlers will entertain and explain and of course ensure the safety of all visitors throughout. 11am-3pm, FREE (Apr 11-12)
Thu-Sat: Tree Tales in Dulwich Park, College Road, Dulwich Common, Court Lane, Dulwich Village SE21 (West Dulwich/North Dulwich rail)
Explore the mystical trees and tales of Dulwich at this family event with open workshops to make tree sculptures, storytelling sessions to compose the tree tales and a performance on Saturday combining the stories, colours and sounds created over 2 days. 10am-4pm (Thu-Fri), 6-9pm (Sat); FREE
Thu-Sun: Alchemy Festival of South Asian Culture at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The fabulous feast of music, arts, performance and food returns to South Bank with top picks this weekend including sampling the Roti Chai Chaat Shack & Snack Bar; seeing Iconic Rickshaws on display; exploring the Alchemy Food Market; taking part in a makeshift Bollywood movie with Bollywood Big Sing and Bollywood Big Dance workshops (Sat) and the opening of Half Moon Theatre production Moon and Genie for ages 3-7 (starts Sun). Dates and prices vary, many events FREE! (Apr 10-21)
Fri: Street Feast, 317-319 Kingsland Rd, E8 (Haggerston overground)
Street food is hot and it just got hotter again with the return of this popular night food market at its brand new Dalston spot. Find all your favourites trading including Big Apple Hot Dogs, The Ribman, Spit & Roast, Anna Mae’s, Yum Jungle plus some delicious new discoveries. There’s also art, music and screenings to savour. Come early with the kids and tuck in! Every Fri 5pm-midnight, FREE entry (Apr 12)
Fri-Sun: Puppets on Film Festival at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1
The popular theatre transforms into a cinema for one weekend only in the 2nd outing of its Puppets on Film Festival. Don’t miss Saturday Morning Screenings for Kids, U a selection of shorts brought to you by Jim Henson’s daughter Heather Henson (Sat 11am) and Strings, PG (Sat 2pm); plus The Muppet Movie, U (Sun 10.30am); Kooky for ages 7+ (Sun 2.30pm) and Being Elmo, PG (Sun 4.30pm). There are also puppet films for adults and a special showing at Screen on the Green of puppet classic The Dark Crystal, PG (Sun 10am). Times vary from 10am-4.30pm; £6.50-£12 (20% if you book for or more events at LAT) (Apr 12-14)
Fri-Sun: Cake International at ExCel London
It’s a baking bonanza at this exhibition of sugarcraft, cake decorating and making goodies with workshops for experts and newbies including A Taste of Sugarcraft for newcomers and juniors; demo theatres; The Baker’s Dozen interactive theatre with chef Paul Da Costa Greaves; a chance to meet authors and more! 9.30am-5.30pm (Fri-Sat); 9.30am-5pm (Sun); adult £14/seniors £13/under 16s FREE (Apr 12-14)
Sat: Build a Giant Lego Yoda at Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush, W12
The official LEGO® Star Wars™ Yoda Chronicles Road Show rolls into the shopping centre this weekend. Come to the stage area to help build a giant LEGO Yoda, have your photo taken holding a lightsabre next to a LEGO Darth Vader and Storm Trooper, and take home a souvenir key ring or magnet. From 10am, FREE (Apr 13)
Sat: Framed Family Film Club: Never Ending Story (U) at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC1 (Barbican tube)
One of my favourite books as a kid is transformed into this bewitching tale of magic and adventure. Follow the story of Bastian who finds a book that transports him to the world of Fantasia. 11am, £2 (Apr 13)
LOCAL PICK
Fri-Sun: Easter Kids Workshops at Cass Art Islington, 66-67 Colebrooke Row, N1 (Angel tube)
It’s not too late to join in these crafty workshops for young ‘uns at the popular art store. Kids can make Chirpy Felt Birds (Fri), design a colourful Rabbit Headdress from foam and paper (Sat) or create your own Birdspotting Tree with pastels, felts and cut-outs. Also taking place at Cass Art Kensington, Hampstead and Kingston branches. 10am-12pm (Fri), 12-2pm (Sat) & 11am-1pm (Sun); FREE (until Apr 14)
We also like
You can still hunt for Easter treasures at Geffrye Museum (until Fri) and Museum of Brands in Notting Hill (until Sun); more Easter events continue at Freightliners Farm in N1 (until Fri); catch Albert & Friends Instant Circus: Cinderella at Watermans Arts Centre, Middlesex (Fri-Sat): Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival rounds off (until Sun); last chance to ride at the Clapham Common Easter Funfair, SW4 (until Sun)
