The annual Big Draw (Oct 1-Nov 3) kicked off this week. The festival is just one of the fun and family friendly activities in London this month, as featured in our fabulous October Family Events Calendar.
Here’s what else is happening for London kids over the weekend:
Fri-Sun: Cirque Eloize: iD at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, Holborn
A brilliantly entertaining Canadian circus that blends breakdancing, acrobatics, juggling, contortionists, stunt bicycling and more in a show that’s all about how the city transforms and inspires its residents. Ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun only); adult £15-£42/child half-price (Oct 1-19)
Fri-Sun: Wimbledon Bookfest, various locations around SW19 (Wimbledon tube)
The popular annual literary festival has loads on for kids including appearances, readings and signings by David and Carrie Grant, Cerys Matthews, Jez Alborough, Tim Vine and The Wombles! (until Oct 13)
Fri-Sun: Picture This: Exhibition of Children’s Classics at British Library, 96 Euston Rd, NW1 (King’s Cross/Euston tube)
Paddington Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Willy Wonka and Peter Pan are just some of the best-loved childhood characters featured in this nostalgic exploration of children’s book illustrations over the years. 9.30am-6pm (Fri), 9.30am-5pm (Sat) and 11am-5pm (Sun): FREE (Oct 4-Jan 26)
Fri-Sun: Afro Supa Hero at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
A retrospective of the artist Jon Daniel’s personal collection of action figures and comic books, representing his own experience of growing up as an African Caribbean in ‘60s and ‘70s Britain. Meteor Man, Mr T and Lieutenant Uhura are on display along with iconic photos of Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King and comics like The Falcon and Black Lighting. Exhibition running through Black History Month in October and beyond. 10am-5.45pm daily, FREE (Sep 14-Feb 9)
Sat: Surrey Docks Farm Harvest Festival, Rotherhithe St, SE16 (Surrey Quays overground)
It’s the 5th annual Harvest festival and there’s a packed schedule involving new Farm shop opening, craft stalls, donkey rides, local food producers, Bar, chill and grill area, a chance to meet the resident animals and a visit from Splat the Rat! 11am-4pm, FREE (Oct 5)
Sat: Saturday Morning Pictures at the Cinema Museum, Master’s House, 2 Duggard Way, Kennington SE11 (Kennington/Elephant & Castle tube)
Enjoy a retro cinema experience as the Cinema Museum takes you back to the Saturday morning pictures with vintage cartoons, cliffhangers and choc ices. The cafe will be open and audience participation is encouraged. 9am doors, 10am start; adult £5 adv/£6 door, child £3 adv/£4 door (Oct 5)
Sat-Sun: Discover’s 10th Birthday Party Weekend (pic) at Discover, 383-387 High St, Stratford (Stratford overground/tube)
Come out and celebrate a decade of Discover with the theatre company Inspector Sands taking you on an ‘Undiscovered’ tour of the building. Plus Hattie Garlick for Cardboard Kingdom, Kirstie Harris retelling the Ugly Duckling and DJ and spoken word artist Charlie Dark’s remix of The Tortoise and the Hare. 11am-5pm, FREE with regular admission (£5/under 2s FREE) (Oct 5 & 6)
Sat-Sun: Sensacional (for Toddlers) at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
The hugely popular immersive show for babies and toddlers returns with its blend of moving shapes and projected images, colour, light and sound for a totally tactile experience. 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am & 12pm; £10 (early booking advised to avoid disappointment) (Sep 21-Nov 14)
Sun: Disco Loco at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42-26 Pollard’s Row, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Guess who’s back? The ultimate East End groove for majors and minors returns to Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club for another lively mix of music, booze, nosh and dancing. DJs Emilia Harmony, Earl Gateshead, Reverend Milo Speedwagon and MC Chu-i keep the crowds happy with dance, disco, roots, reggae and more eclectic tunes. 3-6pm, £4/non-walkers FREE (Oct 6)
Sun: Day of Play at Red Gallery, 3 Rivington St, EC2 (Old St tube)
We loved Red Market over summer and now we’re excited to hear about their Day of Play, part of the Urban Dialogues exhibition. Pop down to the gallery for an afternoon of fun and games for all the family — everything from crafting to art trails to storytelling and tea and cakes are on the menu. 12-5pm, FREE (Oct 6)
We also like
Explore Elefest, the Elephant and Castle’s free arts festival, celebrating the area with a broad mix of activities (Fri-Sun); get a taste of Japan in Trafalgar Square at the Japan Matsuri (Sat); Roots and Shoots Apple Day is back by popular demand in Kennington (Sat); America is the theme of the Saturday Spectacular Family Concert at Cadogan Hall (Sat0
