School break coming up soon and as usual our Half Term Guide will be stacked with things to do with kids and families in London. Meantime, there’s tons of goodness in our weekend guide.
Museums at Night, Regent’s Park Open Air Season Launch, Mums Show Live, ArchiKids Festival, Chelsea Fringe Family Day at Horniman Museum, Disco Kids at the Albany…
Enjoy!
Thu-Sat: Museums at Night: Family Events, venues across London
Highlights of this annual nighttime tour of popular museums include a Kids Sleepover at Kensington Palace for ages 7+ (Thu), costumed tours of the Golden Hinde (Fri-Sat), an after hours family quest at the National Army Museum and its brilliant play space (Sat), an evening with Simon Mayo and his character Itch at the Royal Institution (Sat), and a starry adventure at Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Times, dates and prices vary, check the web site for event details. (May 16-18)
Thu-Sun: Regent’s Park Open Air Season Launch, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
The brilliant outdoor theatre series kicks off tonight with To Kill A Mockingbird starring Robert Sean Leonard (May 16-Jun 15), followed by an amazing summer line-up including Pride & Prejudice (Jun 20-Jul 20); The Winter’s Tale reimagined for ages 6 and over (Jun 29-Jul 20); The Sound of Music (Jul 25-Sep 7); and Dinosaur Zoo (Aug 9-Sep 8). We can’t wait! Tickets and times vary, visit the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre tickets page for details. (May 16-Sep 8)
Thu-Sun: Mums Show Live at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, N22 (Wood Green tube)
The first ever show for parents of schoolkids between the ages of 4 to 12 launches with a jam-packed schedule, including celebrity mum talks, expert advice, parenting panels, shopping and discounts and a Tree House play area for kids. Free goody bag for every adult visitor! 4-9pm (Thu) & 10am-5pm (Fri-Sun); adult £10 adv/£15 door, child £3 adv/£5 door (May 16-19)
Thu-Sun: Monster’s Baby Pop Up at BoxPark, 2-4 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
Hip kids brand Monsters Baby launches its pop-up store in trendy Box Park with an official late night store opening tonight (Thu) with free burritos, drinks and exclusive offers plus DJ Kush on decks and a Family Fun Day (Sun) with interactive games and activities, sponsored by Anorak magazine and NIKE iD. Shop the pop-up store for kids ages 0-8 through next Tuesday. Read our Monster’s Baby review! (until May 22)
Fri-Sun: Archikids Festival 2013 (pictured), in and around Barbican/City of London (Barbican/Liverpool St/St Paul’s)
A three day family-friendly festival of architecture in the Square Mile, following on from the Junior Open House Festival last year. More than 50 activities for kids including an On your Scooter guided trail, design your own Little Big Tunnel, release chickens at Chicken City, Toddle in the City photography treasure hunt, the City of a Thousand architects workshop, the Hatwalk catwalk and Stringscape a 3D city. From 10am daily, times vary; All events are FREE. Download a ArchiKids Festival programme and map (May 17-19)
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) (until Jun 30)
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+. 4.15pm (May 18-19); £10-£15 (premium) (until May 19)
Sun: Disco Kids at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (New Cross overground)
Dancing queens and disco daddies are invited to the summer hoedown at the Albany’s fab boogie wonderland, with DJ Jean Genie spinning the big tunes for the little and large crowd. 2-5pm, £5.50/family £20 (May 19)
Sun: Chelsea Fringe Festival Family Day at Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill SE23 (Forest Hill overground)
Come along for a blooming day out with planting activities, storytelling, garden craft workshops, art makers for kids, compost cookery, the opening of a bee installation and a chance to hang your wishes from the Horniman wish tree. 12-5pm, some events ticketed at £3-£5, most events drop-in and FREE (May 19)
Sun: Baby Rave, Pirate Castle, Oval Rd, NW1 (Camden Town tube)
It’s time to party with guest DJ NeilImperial at this popular afternoon rave for grown-ups and their tiny dancers. Baby Rave creates a mini-festival atmosphere for families with kids ages 5 and under. 2-5pm, adult £4-£6/child £3/non-walkers FREE (May 19)
LOCAL PICK
Sat-Sun: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
Michael Rosen’s brilliantly lyrical tale gets a puppet makeover in this lively adaptation directed by LAT’s Peter Glanville and music from renowned singer-composer Barb Jungr. For ages 2+. Baby-friendly performances 11am (Suns) & on Thu May 30. 10am & 1pm (Wed-Thu), 1pm & 5pm (Fri); 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Sat-Sun); £12/£10 children & concs/half-price previews May 11 & 12/£5 for Fridays 5pm (May 11-Jul 21)
We also like
Last call for the Kensington Mums Motherhood Exhibition: Open Photo Session at Whole Foods Market, Kensington (Fri); Bugsy Malone is on at the Barbican Family Film Club (Sat); Fabulous Feast food festival with loads of stalls and kids games in Battersea (Sat) and Mwalimu Express, the Africa-themed family club with live music and screenings at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, 2-6pm, FREE (Sun)
Photo: Archikids Festival via Open City
