You are spoilt for choice this Bank Holiday in London! And it looks like the weather’s gonna play nice so get out there and enjoy some of our picks for what to do with kids this weekend.
Breakin’ Convention Park Jam in Spa Fields (FREE), Walking with Dinosaurs at Wembley, Canalway festival in Little Venice, Pirate Party on the Cutty Sark, and a Chorus Family Sing-a-long at South Bank plus 2 theatre shows Just for Babies…
Have fun!
Thu-Sun: Walking with Dinosaurs at Wembley Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, HA9 (Wembley Park tube)
The spectacular arena show returns with its awesome array of 20 life-size dinosaurs roaring into Wembley. Watch Tyrannosaurus Rex and fearsome friends stomp around, play and battle for survival. Recommended for ages 3+. 7pm (Thu-Fri), 11am, 3pm & 7pm (Sat-Sun) & 11am & 3pm (Mon); £29-£49/family tickets get 4th ticket FREE/under 2s FREE (May 1-6)
Fri-Sun: Lullaby (a show for babies at Polka Theatre, 240 the Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 (Wimbledon tube)
Enter the ultimate baby chill-out zone with this magical interactive performance that uses music, light, sound and shadow to stimulate and engage the tiniest senses. The intimate show, with a maximum of 12 babies and carers admitted per session, draws on the ancient power of lullabies to aid baby sensory development. Additional adults can observe on a big screen for £4. Shows at 10.35am, 12.05pm, 12.35pm, 2.05pm & 3.35pm (dates and times vary); adult + baby £15/£12 concs. (May 3-25)
Fri: Kensington Mums Motherhood Exhibition: Open Photo Session at Whole Foods Market, Kensington High St, W8 (High St Kensington tube)
Kensington Mums is calling on mums everywhere to celebrate themselves and the beauty of motherhood. You’re invited to one of a series of photo sessions where you can tell your story of what motherhood means to you, in words and pictures, as part of the larger project Story of Mum. The work will be used publicly online at Kensington Mums, at Beaufort House Chelsea where the exhibition will take place on Jun 7 and at venues in the UK and beyond. 10am-12pm, FREE (May 3-17)
Fri-Sun: Zoo Nation: Some like it Hip Hop at Sadlers Wells, Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
Back by overwhelming demand, the astounding Zoo Nation revive their gravity-defying, breakneck street dance extravaganza. Blending comedy, choreography, Shakespeare’s 12 Night and Billy Wilder’s Some Like it Hot, this acclaimed show promises a feel-good evening out. Ages 5+ welcome, recommended for ages 7+. 7.30pm (Fri & Tue), 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat & Sun); £12-£38 (1/2 price tickets for child on £30-£38 seats) (May 3-Jun 30)
Sat-Mon: Finding Nemo 3D (Vue Kids AM) at Islington Vue (Angel tube) and selected Vue cinemas across London
One of Disney Pixar’s greatest animated films, the story of a clown fish who embarks on an epic adventure to recover his lost son Nemo. Brilliant storytelling, stunning visuals and plenty of laughs along this emotional journey. Also showing in 2D! 10.30am, from £1.75 (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 (Warwick Ave tube)
The annual festival celebrating London’s waterways offers loads for kids including kayaking and boating classes, Teddy Bear’s picnic, Puppet Barge theatre shows, floating classroom. For all ages there’s live music throughout, real ale bar, entertainments marquee and of course the grand illuminated procession of boats along the canal (9pm, Sun). From around 10am daily, FREE (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
The hottest poppers, lockers, krumpers, B-boys and girls converge in Angel for another year celebrating hip hop culture. Hosted/curated by Jonzi D, this 10th anniversary event offers more freestyle foyer sessions, DJs, workshops and live spray can art. Plus Monday is dedicated solely to talent from the UK. Under 5s welcome! Daily activities from 12.15pm, foyer & studio theatre events from 4pm (Sat-Sun) & 5pm (Mon); live shows from 6pm (Sat-Sun) & 7pm (Mon). £15 (standing)-£20 (seated) (May 4-6)
Sat-Mon: Chorus Festival of singing at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The South Bank will be awash with song as the Chorus festival takes over for 3 days of intense vocal workshops, rehearsals and group singing. Don’t miss a mass rendition of Jerusalem (Sat 1pm), performances by traditional, gospel, rock and pop choirs throughout the weekend, and the Monday Family Workshop for kids ages 7+ (Mon 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm). Varying times, ticket range £6-£10, many events FREE (May 4-6)
Sun: Sensacional for Babies at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 (Highgate tube)
Babies as young as 18 months are invited to be part of this spellbinding, immersive show that uses lights, sounds, colours and patterns to entertain and keep them interacting. Watch as your child puts on a white suit and blends in with the floors soft, white screen. For ages 18 months-3 years. 8 half-hour shows from 12-4pm; from £8.95 (May 5)
Sun: Pirate Party at Cutty Sark & National Maritime Museum, Greenwich SE10 (Cutty Sark DLR)
Ahoy me hearties! And all that good stuff. Buckle your swash and climb aboard Cutty Sark for a day of adventure, with make and take workshops (fancy designing your own pirate bandana?), treasure trails and a chance to explore one of the city’s finest attractions. 11am-4pm, £12/under 3s FREE (May 5)
Sun: Streetfest London, Hearn St Car Park, Shoreditch, EC2 (Liverpool St tube)
Come along for a day celebrating urban culture and all things street, from food and fashion, to music and live art, to street sports including skateboarding, parkour, dance crews and BMX. And plenty of street food to keep those engines running. 1-11pm, £15/under 12s FREE (May 5)
Sun: Red Gallery 3rd Anniversary, Red Market, 3 Rivington St, EC3 (Old St tube)
There’s 12 hours of music and art laid on for the celebration of Red Gallery’s 3rd birthday, with a Kids Tent and all-day fun for children, 10 street food traders, summer cocktails and after-party. 12pm-midnight, FREE (May 5)
Mon: May Day at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 (West India Quay DLR)
Join in the proper May Day celebrations where there’s a chance to hear stories, make Morris Dancer coats, handle objects connected with English folklore, check out the Belles of London City doing traditional Morris Dancing, and help to make a Jack in the Green to parade in May Day procession. For ages 2+. 11.30am-4pm, FREE (May 6)
LOCAL PICK
Mon: Breakin’ Convention Park Jam at Spa Fields Parks, Islington, EC1 (Angel tube)
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Breakin’ Convention, Jonzi D and friends are hosting the first ever FREE family event for Bank Holiday Monday. Come along for open-air dance, music, graffiti art, live band, trainerholic streetwear sales fair and of course, Soul Food! 12.30-4.30pm, FREE
We also like
Spin London bicycling show, at Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 (Fri-Sun); Wandsworth Arts Festival, kicks off (from Fri); family-friendly Make Believe Market at Islington Metal Works (Sun); the Gospel according to Jazz family-friendly show at The Tabernacle, Notting Hill (Sun); Origami fun at Harrods (Sun): Land of Kids Festival, Dalston E8 (May 6); May Day Celebrations at Freightliners Farm, N1, 12-4pm (Mon)
Find out what’s happening throughout the month in our May Family Events Calendar
Images via Sadlers Wells (credit: Breakin’ Convention by Belinda Lawley) and RMG Cutty Sark
What fab things were in store for little ones in the Big Smoke. What did you guys do? Was Greek Easter for us on Sunday so weekend of celebrating. Loving the sun too…x