It’s World Book Day and the boys have been sent off to school as Batman and Where’s Wally (hope I can find Ezra at pick-up)! My favourite character I spotted was a Clark Kent in the throes of becoming Superman — specs on, blue suit peeking through the shirt. Genius.
The weekend action kicks off with literary celebrations at The Big Write at Discover, plus other fun things to do with kids including scoping out the Vikings invading the British Museum.
Thu-Sat: Out of the Blue at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (Wimbledon tube)
A special performance created just for babies aged 6-18 months, filled with captivating images and sounds, and followed by a playtime session. 10.35am & 2.05pm (Thu-Fri), 10.35am, 12.30pm & 2.35pm (Sat); £11/£8.50 concs./babies under 6 months FREE (Mar 6-8)
Thu-Sun: The Big Write: Stories Remixed at Discover, 383-387 High St, Stratford E15 4QZ
The popular annual festival of stories sees special guests John Hegley, Boogalu Stu, Axel Scheffler, Sarah McIntyre and more kids book heroes descend on Discover for talks, workshops, readings, signings and activities galore. 10am-5pm, events various timing, pre-booking essential on 020 8536 5555; adult £7/child £6.50/family of 4 £24 (Mar 6-16)
Thu-Sun: Vikings at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Holborn tube)
Go back in time to the era of the Vikings at the first major exhibition in British Museum for three decades. Explore hoards and swords, amulets and axes and the remnants of a 37 metre-long Viking warship! 10am-5.30pm, adult £16.50/child under 16 FREE (Mar 6-Jun 22)
Fri-Sun: An Awfully Big Performance at Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE (Cockfosters tube)
Take a journey through Chickenshed’s history at this variety show featuring moments in song, dance and drama that have defined the venue over 40 years. Generally suitable for ages 7+. 7pm (Tue-Thu), 3pm & 7pm (Sat), 2pm & 5.30pm (Sun), NB: dates and times vary so confirm with the box office; £5-£15 (Mar 7-23)
Fri-Sun: Blaze at Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Last weekend to catch the explosive dance show Blaze, showcasing b-boying, street grooves, high production values and a hot pop soundtrack. For ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); £12-£38/under 16s half-price (Feb 18-Mar 8)
Sat: Little Folk with Albo at Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, SW19 2RD (Colliers Wood/South Wimbledon tube)
An ideal first concert experience for babies, toddlers and big kids as Albo and his guitar take listeners through renditions of camp songs, folk songs and sing-alongs. Home cooked music for all ages, every Saturday. 10.30am, £4 per seat (until Sat Jun 14)
Sat: Comedy Club for Kids at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE (Leicester Square tube)
Get those belly laughs in and watch your little ones tickled pink at this stand-up performance aimed at children ages 6 and over. All the fun of live comedy with none of the swearing! £10/family of 4 £30 (Mar 8 & 22)
Sat-Sun: Under 10s Feminist Corner at J Morgan Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Feminism is not a dirty word and it’s certainly not just for grown-ups. Poet Caroline Bird explores what it means to be a girl and how to start a campaign from your bedroom. For under 10s only! 12pm & 3.30pm (Sat), 10am & 11am (Sun), FREE but requires a ticket (Mar 8-9)
Sat-Sun: Not Now, Bernard at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Bernard has two problems: a) there’s a monster in his garden b) mum and dad are too busy to notice. But when Bernard decides to befriend the monster, things get even stranger! Vivid retelling of David iconic picture book, for ages 2+. 2.30pm (Sat), 11am (Sun), pre-booking strongly advised! £10-£16 (until May 1)
Sun: Urban Origami at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St. Paul’s tube)
A digital workshop aimed at kids ages 5-11 where you can design and print your own 3D card model, using the museum’s iPads and drawing inspiration from the city skyline. 12.30pm-1.15pm, 2pm-2.45pm & 3.30pm-4.15pm; FREE (Mar 9)
We also like
Donate second-hand clothes to Oxfam at the M&S popup Kids Schwop Boutique in Marble Arch (Thu-Sat); make your own time machine at the Wallace Collection Family Day in W1 (Sat, 10.30am-12.30pm); catch illustrator David Roberts and his character Dirty Bertie at Pickled Pepper Books in Crouch End (Sat, 11am); spend a lazy Sunday browsing the Village Green market in Hackney Downs Studios (Sun, 11am-4pm)
Loved this post-cracked me up about whether you’d find Ezra-they looked amazing on FB! The Big Write festival looks superb, I wish I could attend. Fab post!
Ha you’d be amazed to see how many Wallys and Wandas there were at his school, even his teacher! I got a very cute pic of them together ;-) Loads on in London as always, come down, come down x