Disco Baby! Go Dancing with Kids in London

 

 

It’s no secret that we’re a party-loving brood.

The babes have been known to bust a move everywhere from Camp Bestival to the Clore Ballroom (Southbank Centre).

Our list of Top Baby Discos in London is aimed at adults and kids alike. That’s right, we’ve picked spots where grown-ups can cut loose too like the good old days — just don’t trip over the little people!

Typical Features: DJs, dance floor/hall, bubble machine, glow sticks, baby chill-out zone, licensed bar for grown-ups, baby changing facilities, buggy park, healthy snacks and treats

Average Price Range: £5-£9 for walking humans, non-walkers (6 months and under) FREE

 

Top Family Discos in London

 
In alphabetical order:

Baby Loves Disco, various locations
The original afternoon clubbing experience for families, kicking off in New York and quickly becoming a global phenomenon that set off the baby disco craze. BLD UK has regular parties in Brighton, Edinburgh (the Edinburgh Fringe grooves sell out fast), Glasgow and London. I’ve hot-stepped with the boys at Baby Love Disco parties everywhere from Notting Hill (The Tabernacle) to Stratford Circus. DJs spin a mix of pop and throwback tunes. On our last visit, we hit up West End club Sway for a BLD pyjama party where I couldn’t tear the babes away from the light-up disco floor. Unlimited good times. 1-4pm, £9/non-walkers FREE.

Big Fish Little Fish: 2-4 Hour Party People at Effra Social, 89 Effra Rd, SW2 (Brixton tube)
Multiple award winning family event, Big Fish Little Fish is the brainchild of former raver Hannah Saunders. Their 2-4 hour party people experience has branched out across the UK, including festivals like Camp Bestival and Glastonbury. They’re also launching in LA! BFLF’s massively popular events feature top DJs, confetti cannons, chill-out zone with inflatable tents and an ultra cool crowd. The Babes love the hang loose atmosphere, the mix of rave/disco/club classics (everything from Good Life to The Sun Rising), tasty snacks and beverages and the parachute finale. It’s all that and a rum and coke! 2-4.30pm, adult from £9; child £5.50; non-walkers FREE.

Clore Ballroom at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Not strictly a disco venue, but one of our favourite play spaces. The Clore Ballroom is a free area in the Royal Festival Hall where on any given afternoon, you’ll find babies, toddlers and bigger kids running about. It’s also the setting for a variety of FREE live music and dancing events. Some we’ve loved have been Charlie Dark’s Hip Hop Babies at the Imagine Festival, the Hula Hoop Hop and Strictly Ballroom. Don’t miss the block parties and streetdance showcases that happen annually as part of the Urban street culture festival!

Disco Kids at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (New Cross/Deptford overground)
Family Sundays at this popular venue in Deptford offers a chill-out cafe, a lively show and on occasion, an afternoon boogie for all ages. Dancing queens, kings and their minions (that’s you mamas and papas) get down to the sounds of DJs, and a dance choreographer showing you how to work it. Keep an eye on the web site or mailing list for upcoming events! 2pm-5pm, £6/family £20 (held on a Sunday).

Disco Loco, at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
One of our fave family raves (Ezra threw his 6th birthday there), this East London party is all about funky tunes and feelgood vibes. Hipper than most but certainly not cooler than thou, Disco Loco features resident DJs the Lovely Emily, Earl Gateshead and Reverend Milo Speedwagon plus hosts e.g. Chu E keeping the crowd lively. Acoustic sets in the chill-out room and yummy food stalls all keep you coming back for more. In the summer, they take it outdoors for Disco Loco in the Park, a fab afternoon of FREE live music and grooving in gorgeous Springfield Park, Hackney. Ages 6 months and up. 3-6pm, £3 per person adv/door, non-walkers FREE.

Fun DMC, various locations
The daytime block party created by Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders) brings big beats and good grooves to venues around town, including Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall. Fun DMC is a child friendly jam for hip hop fans (whether you’re a baby or a baby boomer). Just wave your hands in the air, like you still don’t care. Come for 3 hours+ of radio-playable (no violence, no cussing) hip hop, disco, funk and party anthems. There’s also hip hop inspired fancy dress, graffiti colouring wall, balloons, gold chain giveaways and more! Aimed at ages 0-10 and families. Around 1pm-4pm; average price adult £5 advance, £7 door/walking kid £2 advance, £4 door/family £14 advance, £22 door/babies under 12 months FREE.

Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall in London Wonderground at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)

An annual fixture at Southbank Centre each summer, as part of the Festival of Love and the London Wonderground. Internationally-renowned DJ Monski Mouse rocks the Spiegeltent with her afternoon dance club for kids under 5 and their parents. Spinning every other Sunday through September, DJ Monski and her crew gets young and old raving to pop faves, retro classics and nursery rhymes remixed. 3pm, £8.

 

MORE PLACES TO GO DANCING WITH KIDS IN LONDON

 
BUMP Roller Disco at Southbank Centre under Hungerford Bridge, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Ultra fabulous roller disco pop-up that glides into the South Bank for its Winter Festival yearly. Put on your sparkles and glitter and skate across the dance floor where it’s all disco balls and shiny tunes. Skates are available from child size 9 to adult size. Varying times daily, between 3pm-11pm & 11am-11pm (weekends); adult £12/child £9 (under 14s tickets only available until 7pm)/Fri & Sat club nights adult £15-child £12 (12+ only 7pm-9pm/then 16+ only)

Also see Skating Haven in Newham

Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Always popular, these lively barn or ‘ceilidh’ dance parties are set to English folk music, with a live band and caller to tell you where to put your feet. Grab your partner and do-si-doh! Family Barn Dances take place throughout the autumn/winter season, see web site for ongoing dates. 2-5pm, adult £5/child £3/under 2s FREE (typically monthly on Sundays)

 

LONDON KIDS DANCE CLASSES

 
Diddi Dance, various venues
Action packed pre-school dance classes for under 5s set to funky pop tunes. Celebrating 10 years in 2013, 99 venues across London!

Latino Bambino, various venues
Salsa with your baby for a fun workout at these tot-friendly fiestas, with salsa classes for kids too. From ages 6 months +. Venues include Islington, Chelsea, Richmond, Greenwich and Deptford.

Toddler Dance at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
Fun movement classes for ages 1-3 jamming to child-friendly reggae, pop and world music.

Zoo Nation Saturday Academy, Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Hip hop dance classes from the acclaimed dance company for kids as young as 4. Classes for under 8s on Sats (term-time) 9am-10am, FREE trial class