Phew, it’s cooled down a little eh? But this weekend is blazing with activities for London kids and families. We’re almost ready with our Summer Guide, meantime scope what’s coming up over the next few days:
Bouncy Stonehenge and Open East Festival, Archaeology Weekend at Tower of London Beach, Summer Festival at V&A Museum, Feast in the Fields at London Fields, Design a Moshling exhibition, Royal Kitten Shower at Battersea, Yoruba Arts Festival, Toy Soldier Weekend at Imperial War Museum…
Have fun!
Thu-Sun: Design a Moshling at the Strand Gallery, 32 John Adam St, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
It’s a Moshi art attack at the Strand Gallery where they’re showcasing designs from more than 60 contenders, for a new Moshling for Monstro City. Explore the exhibition and from Wed-Fri, take part in a roarsome Moshling illustrator session! Every child gets a sticker and some cool Moshi goodies. 5-6pm (Thu), 11am-6pm (Fri-Sun); FREE but pre-register ahead of time (Jul 24-28)
Thu-Sun: Cirque Alfonse: Timber! at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Last weekend to catch the axe-juggling Canadians in a raucous, occasionally knife-edge show blending native folklore from Quebec with circus skills, music and dance. Everyone from 66-year-old grandad to 2-year-old grandson Arthur gets involved, so expect mayhem. Recommended for ages 8+ but younger children welcome! 7.30pm (Thu-Fri); 2pm & 7.30pm (Sat) and 4pm (Sun) + 2pm show (Wed); £15-£32/concs half-price. (Jul 10-31)
Sat: Royal Kitten Shower at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Rd, SW8 (Battersea Park rail)
A very sweet way of hopping on the Royal Baby bandwagon, the animal charity welcomes its brand new litter of kittens in regal style. There will be a kitten creche, quiz activities, crafts including make your own cat mask or toys for kittens, and even to name one of your new furry friends. 12-4pm, adult £2 (suggested donation)/child FREE (Jul 27)
Sat-Sun: Yoruba Arts Festival in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, N16 (Dalston Kingsland/Stoke Newington rail)
The 4th annual celebration of the official ‘party-loving people of West Africa’ and their immensely wealthy heritage takes over the park for the weekend. Groove to DJs playing Afrobeats, Azonto and Naijapop, hear Niyi & Co, 4 Fingaz, Brazilian samba band Batala and more. Browse Yoruba arts and merchandise in stalls, food from Yoruba Kitchen, Sylvia’s Catering and suya (yum!) from Mama Suya and Suya Man. Plus face painting, workshops, competitions and more. 10am-9pm, FREE (Jul 27-28)
Sat-Sun: Bouncy Stonehenge at Open East Festival (pic), Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
An amazing line-up of music acts including Dead Prez, Amadou and Miriam, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 and The Waterboys take to the stage at this family friendly weekend. There’s also entertainment and workshops from Boy Blue, Rock A Hula and Xtreme Action BMX. Street food from Big Apple Hot Dogs, Pizza Pilgrims, Mama’s Jerk Station and more. Kids activities with Crafternoon Tea Club, Discover Story Centre and House of FairyTales. Bompas and Parr finales each day. And a chance to leap around on the Inflatable Stonehenge that sensationally toured the UK last summer! adult £9.50/child (ages 5-16) £6/under 5s FREE
Sat-Sun: Feast in the Fields in London Fields at The Brewhouse, Railway Arches 369-370 Helmsley Place, E8 (Hackney Central overground/Bethnal Green tube) A two-day smorgasbord of the best in street food, bespoke beers, gelato, live music and East London trendies. The monthly gathering features a rotating menu of street stall lovelies with this weekend starring Tacochu, Gupta, Mama’s Jerk Station, La Crepe des Delices, Beard to Tail, Arancini Brothers, Street Treats, Jimmy’s Underground Pop-Up among the traders. Music from Kamao Quintet, Dan Korn & the choppy waters, DJ TBX, DJ General Patten and Brewhouse Sunday jazz with TJ Johnson. Kids come free and there’s the whole of London Fields to roam if they get restless after! 12pm-2am, adult Feast entry £3/early bird Beer & food ticket adv. £7/door £9/child FREE (Ju 29-30)
Sat-Sun: Archaeology Weekend at the Tower of London Beach, Tower of London, EC3 (Tower Hill tube)
The annual dig at the historic royal palace invites treasure hunters of all ages onto the Tower’s river foreshore. Hit the beach with your bucket and space, hear about river safety from the Thames 21 team, and share your finds with foreshore archaeologists. Stalls, games and activities also on the Wharf throughout the day. Wharf activities: 11am-4pm; foreshore activities 11.30am-1.30pm (Sat) & 12-2pm (Sun) depending on tides, FREE (Jul 27-28)
Sat-Sun: Toy Soldier Weekend at National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Rd, SW3 (Sloane Square tube)
Come and discover military models including the museum’s rarely seen collection, hear talks from the curators and watch recreations of key events in British military history. Aimed at ages 7+ but younger ones welcome and of course there’s the soft play area to enjoy after for little kids. 10.30am-4.30pm, FREE (Jul 27-28)
Sun: Family Day: Spectacular Spaces at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton overground)
Another fabulous family day out with music from teen troupe Hipnotic; a chance to meet and hold animals you would normally find in the garden with Animal EDUtainment; design your own garden frames; and take part in a magnificent garden games tournament. 12.30-4.30pm, free (Jul 28)
Sun: Summer Festival at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
It’s party time at the annual fair, with delicious food, artisan stalls, face painting and rickshaw rides on offer. Play games in Foxy and Huskies playground, hear live music from The Sunshine Choir and Vagaband, and eat cakes by the Women’s Institute. 11.30am-4.30pm, FREE (Jul 28)
LOCAL PICK
Sat: My Neighbour Totoro 25th Anniversary at Everyman Screen on the Green, Upper St, by Islington Green, N1 (Angel tube)
Celebrating 25 years of this animated classic, Screen on the Green is showing Hayao Miyazaki’s gorgeous tale of two young sisters in an enchanted forest, in a special double bill with Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies. The latter follows a brother and sister struggling to survive after their home is firebombed in WW2. 10.15am, £5 (Jul 27)
We also like
J-Culture takes over the capital in Hyper Japan at Earl’s Court (Fri-Sun); enjoy two days of festivities at Gabriel’s Wharf Summer Party in SE1 (Sat-Sun); enjoy a Literary Lunch at Kaspars Seafood Bar and Grill (Sat); and don’t forget Street Feast is back at Dalston Yard (Sat-Sun); race to catch the Sumo Run in Battersea Park (Sun) or find out who’s the fastest in Brixton at the Brixton Bolt (Sun); spend the early afternoon with wild creatures and AnimalMan Nick Spellman at National Geographic Store in Knightsbridge, for ages 4+ (Sun)
What fabulous events on for summertime in London, Oliver would love Archeology weekend for sure!