It’s my birthday today, as the celebrations roll on at Babes HQ. A big party’s on the cards, so we’ll most likely spend the weekend in recovery!
Our Weekend Scoop of things to do in London with kids features a Friday Night cinema club, interactive family theatre and enchanting art workshop at the Royal Academy.
Have a good one x
Fri: Friday Night Cinema Club at My Creche, 143 Crouch Hill, London N8 9QH (Finsbury Park tube/Crouch Hill overground)
Fancy an evening out with your other half? Book your little ones into the fab-sounding Friday Night Cinema Club at north London’s first drop-in crèche. Kids play for 20 minutes, then watch a flick, while you escape for a couple of hours! Popcorn and juice provided. For ages 2-8 (surcharge for younger ones). 6-8pm, or 7-9pm, £12/£9 siblings/non-members £18 (£18 under 2s) (every Friday)
Fri-Sun: War Games at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Delve into the secret history of toys as propaganda tools as well as playthings, in an exhibition that also explores gender differences and looks at popular games from Risk and GI Joe to toy soldiers. 10am-5pm, FREE (until Mar 14)
Fri-Sun: Emil and the Detectives at the National Theatre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Exciting live retelling of the classic story by Erich Kastner about a boy’s adventures in 1920s Berlin. Recommended for ages 7+. £12-£50/half-price tickets over £24 for under 18s (until Feb 20)
Sat: Peter Pan at Dugdale Centre in Enfield, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Rd, EN2 6DS (Enfield Town rail)
The classic tale of a boy who never grew up comes to the stage in a lively mix of music, puppetry and mime, with plenty of audience interaction. 11.30am & 1.30pm, £5-£8 (Feb 8)
Sat: Humpty Dumpty at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15 1BX (Stratford overground/tube)
Enter a topsy turvy world behind the bookshelves, where you follow paper soldier clues and explore the building in search of Humpty’s riddle. An enchanting multi-sensory performance of dance, storytelling and visual arts, for ages 4-7. 10am, 11.30am & 3pm; adult + child £8 (Feb 8)
Sat-Sun: Orchids at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens overground/tube)
Brighten up your mood with a trip to Kew Garden for the spectacular annual orchid festival. Wander the steamy tropical conservatory filled with exotic flowers, then let the kids roam and climb in Kew’s children’s zone. From 9.30am daily, adult £16/under 16s FREE (until Mar 9)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town tube/Camden Rd overground)
Prepare to doh-si-doh your partners, big or small, at this fun dance party for all ages with a live caller teaching you the steps and a folk band playing traditional favourites. 3-5pm, adult £6/child £4/under 2s FREE (Feb 8)
Sun: Family Studio: Enchanted Architecture at Royal Academy, Burlington House, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Cast a spell over a range of materials to create a tunnel in the galleries. Fun, family workshop inspired by the RA’s exhibition: Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined. 11am-2pm, FREE (Feb 9)
LOCAL PICK (ISLINGTON)
Sun: Alan Davies & Friends: Freightliners Farm Fundraiser at Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, N1 2UN (Highbury & Islington tube)
Following the brilliant and absolutely hilarious Night of Comedy for Freightliner’s Farm last year, Alan Davies is back with special guests for another evening of entertainment, raising money for the popular local farm. He’s joined by Jimmy Carr + Alan Davies + Kevin Eldon + Hedluv & Passman + Bec Hill + Katherine Ryan + John Robins (MC) + Josh Widdicombe, all live at the stunning Union Chapel. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! 6.30pm, £29.95/concs. £24.95 (Feb 9)
We also like
Catch Disney magic in Cinderella at Barbican Centre Family Film Club (Sat, 11am); settle down for Magic Carpet Storytelling for under 5s at National Gallery, WC2 (Suns, 10.30am); Bailey’s Stardust photographic exhibition is now open at National Portrait Gallery (until Jun 1)
