London Weekend Scoop for Kids and Families (August 15-18, 2013)

We’re busy doing last minute packing for Just So Festival this weekend, so so excited to finally check out the boutique family friendly festival in Cheshire.

But we’ve rounded up some lovely things to do with the little ones including our favourite family events and activities for kids in London this weekend.

LolliBop Festival, Zoo Nation’s Groove On Down the Road, Feast in Battersea Park, Backyard Cinema in London Fields, French for Cartridge Kids Party in Stepney City Farm, Dinosaur Zoo in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, King’s Cross Festival in Coram Fields…

See you on the other side!

Thu-Sun: Groove on Down the Road, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
We’ve fallen head over heels for Zoo Nation’s brand new hip hop musical: it’s a vibrant reinterpretation of The Wizard of Oz, showcasing a new generation of dancers ages 10-19. Go and see it! 2pm, 4pm, 7pm (varying dates); £10-£32/concs. half-price (limited availability) (Aug 10-Sep 1)

Fri-Sun: LolliBop Festival (pic), Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
The big bash for little people relocates to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for a larger and more involved experience for kids ages 10 and under, and their fun-loving families. Dick & Dom, Rastamouse, Mr Men & Little Miss, Hello Kitty and Mr Tumble are just some of the names on the line-up. Daily 10am-6pm. Advance tickets from £23.50/family tickets from £92 + booking fees. (Aug 16-18)

Fri-Sun: Feast at Battersea Park, SW11 (Battersea Park Station/Sloane Square tube)
A brand new event on the foodie calendar, straight from the Foodies Festival, Feast will feature the UK’s largest selection of street food, restaurants and artisan stalls all in the same location. Cooking demos, food tastings, chef experiences and more await. 11am-9pm, 1 day adult £22/1 day VIP £48/child under 12 FREE (Aug 16-18)

Fri-Sun: La Tempesta in Queens Wood, Muswell Hill Rd, Highgate N10 (Highgate tube)
Scarabeus Aerial Theatre and Little Angel Theatre in a unique collaboration of puppetry and performers, suspended in the trees, telling a tale of a family whose house is swept away by a flood. For ages 2+. A lovely, interactive production in a gorgeous setting. 12pm & 3pm (no shows Mon Aug 12), £8.95 adv/£10 door (Aug 8-18)

Fri-Sun: Dinosaur Zoo at Open Air Theatre, Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Baker St tube)
Regent’s Park transforms into a Jurassic park as Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo roars onto the scene, thrilling the crowds with cute baby dinos and tooth-gnashing giants. We caught a preview of these dinosaurs at the Imagine Festival earlier this year and can’t wait for the full show! 2.15pm (Mon-Wed), 11.30am & 2.15pm (Fri), 9.45am & 11.30am (Sat-Sun); £15-£20/family ticket £15 (Aug 9-Sep 8)

Sat: Kings Cross Festival at Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford St, WC1 (Russell Square tube)
Come along for a free community event celebrating the history and the diversity of the area. There will be fair rides, stalls, face painting and henna, kids activities, plus a live music stage. 12pm, FREE (Aug 17)

Sat: French for Cartridge Kids Party at Stepney City Farm, Stepney Way, E1 (Stepney Green tube/Limehouse DLR)
The eclectic band have remixed several of their songs off album We Humans as kid-friendly versions and are playing a stomping live set at the farm this weekend. Grab your little ‘uns, come and groove to a backdrop of moos and bleats, plus you can scope out the farmer’s market. Superhero costumes encouraged. Two sets at 11am and 2.30pm, FREE entry (Aug 17)

Sat-Sun: Backyard Cinema, London Fields, 356-366 Warburton St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
Closing out the season this weekend, with iconic movies to enjoy in the open air. There’s beanbags, bunting, craft beers, DJs, food stalls, live bands and of course cinema including Avatar, the Lost Boys, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Anchorman, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Place Beyond the Pines and Les Miserables. From 1pm (Sat) and from 2pm (Sun), last screenings around 10pm; £10 movies/£15 movie & food/£19 movie, food + 2 drinks (Aug 17-18)

Sat-Sun: The Queens Knickers at Southbank Centre, Purcell Room, QEH, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Dilys, the Queen’s maid, has lost Her Majesty’s pants, causing a panic of epic proportions and a national state of emergency. A hugely entertaining adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s book, for ages 4+. 12pm & 3pm (no shows on Friday), £12/concs. half-price (until Aug 20)

LOCAL PICK

Sat-Sun: House of Illustration Workshops at King’s Cross Viewing Platform, Granary Square, NC1 (King’s Cross tube)
Whether you’re skilled with a brush and pencil, or your a newbie with an eye for colour, climb on up to the viewing platform at Granary Square and join in this mini art course from the pros at House of Illustration. For ages 5+, pre-booking at http://houseofillustration.eventbrite.co.uk. 10am-5pm, FREE (Aug 17-18)

We also like
Pedal On UK community bike relays kick off this Friday; it’s the last Friday to make Bugs, Butterflies and Beasties in clay workshops at Culpeper Garden, N1 (Fri, 12-4pm); free outdoor theatre continues at Watch this Space outside the National Theatre (Fri-Sat); go on an urban ecology bird stroll at Whitechapel Gallery (Sat) kids activities are on the packed line-up for Hack the Barbican (through Aug)