Wow, it’s been hot today. We spent a lovely afternoon/evening around Granary Square in King’s Cross, climbing up to the Viewing Platform and watching the kids splash through the fountains.
Then we popped in to Skate King’s Cross for a little spectating and grazing on Disco Wings from Disco Bistro. Then we rounded off with a game of ping pong at one of Ping London’s pop up tables right outside Central Saint Martin’s. Good times!
Here’s what’s on this weekend for you and your little ones:
Thu-Sun: Leandro Erlich: Dalston House, 1-7 Ashwin St, Dalston, E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Last chance to experience the Spiderman effect at this visually captivating installation by Erlich, commissioned by the Barbican Centre. Renowned for his 3D optical illusions, Erlich’s latest creation is a detailed facade of a Victorian terraced house, lying horizontally with mirrors positioned overhead. The effects of standing, sitting or lying on this building appear to defy gravity. 11am-8pm (Thu-Fri), 10am-8pm (Sat-Sun); FREE (arrive early, expect queues, follow @dalstonhouse for updates) (until Aug 4)
Thu-Sun: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, WC2 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Brilliant adaptation of the popular picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. A brave family goes on an adventure to find a bear, encountering some sticky and splashy obstacles along the way. Plenty of interactive fun, with music, perfectly pitched for ages 3+. 11am (Thu-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun), £14-£21.50 (until Sep 1)
Fri-Sat: Watch this Space presents August Outdoors at the National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Kicking off its summer season of outdoor performances by various circus, comedy, cabaret and quirky acts, the National Theatre’s free family festival begins with Sneakers/Streetlights (Fri/Sat), a rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll band. And The Thinker (Sat), described as an ‘extraordinarily indiscreet human telepathic transmitter’. 1pm & 6.30pm (Fri-Sat) and 2pm, 4pm and 6.45pm (Sat), FREE (Aug 2-3)
Fri-Sun: Urban: Celebrating Street Culture at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
A festival of urban culture takes over the Southbank Centre’s concrete play spaces with a series of workshops and performances by skaters, BMXrs, free runners, DJs, rappers, B-girls and B-boys. There will be pop-up performances, Basketball and Poetry duets, an Urban Block Party with DJ Ty (Sun 2pm) and, most crucially, a free fancy dress Thriller choreography workshop (Sun 12pm) where you can take your moves outside for a group performance! Daily from 10am, times and prices vary, many events are FREE! (Aug 2-4)
Fri-Sun: The GrowUp Box in Marlborough Playground, Union St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
GrowUp is an urban farming business dedicated to sustainable farming models through vertical growing and aquaponics. They raised £16k via Kickstarter to build a demonstration project, the GrowUp Box, an upcycled shipping container with a greenhouse on top. Come see how it works and taste the results! 3-5pm (Fri), 10am-5pm (Sat), 1-5pm (Sun), FREE (throughout summer)
Sat: Prudential Ride London FreeCycle, from Westminster to Tower Hill (see web site for route)
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited on this 8-mile traffic-free circuit around London. Take the whole family on a ride past the capital’s major landmarks, all registered participants receive a free goody bag from the Prudential Ride London Cycling show at ExCel London (Aug 3-4). From 9am, start early if you have young kids, enter at any part along the route and check out the festival zones in Green Park, St. Paul’s and Tower Hill. (Aug 3)
Sat: Alice in Wonderland at Opera Holland Park, Ilchester Place, W8 (High St Kensington/Holland Park tube)
After the success of Fantastic Mr Fox the Opera, Alice in Wonderland brings a magical menagerie to Holland Park. Follow the White Rabbit to the gorgeous gardens and lose yourself in the storyline, set to a live orchestra. 3pm, adult £8/child £3 (Jul 20-Aug 3)
Sat-Sun: Kenwood House Summer Fete, Hampstead Lane, NW3 (Hampstead Heath/Gospel Oak overground)
Come to a rip-roaring 20s celebration complete with horse and cart rides, Charleston dancing, art deco vintage stalls, rag time band, afternoon tea in the garden and workshops for all the family. Plus you can enter the Great Kenwood Bake Off or put your pooch in line for the Kenwoof Dog Show. 11am-5pm, FREE (Aug 3-4)
We also like
Three Colours fascinating light and projections show for toddlers at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon (Thu-Sun); Truck Stop festival of food trucks pulls into Canary Wharf again (Thu-Fri); hear music from Peru, Brazil, Spain and the UK with Lokandes at the Horniman in Forest Hill (Sun)
