It’s Mother’s Day weekend and as always we’ve dug up a treasure trove of fun things to do with the kids in London – with a special focus on stuff that’s cool for mums too.
Celebrate the woman who gave you life (and the outstanding job you do as a mother) and don’t forget the clocks go forward on Sunday!
Fri: The Pop Up Tea Room at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Tuck into a menu of stories and words, songs and laughter at the only cafe that serves you art instead of food. Be entertained by talented tea ladies and versatile waiters in this fun, interactive event for ages 0-5. 10am-11am, 11.15am-12.15pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm, 2.45pm-3.45pm; adult £5/child £5 (Mar 28)
Fri-Sun: Florimania at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU (Hampton Court)
The annual festival of flowers takes place every Mothering Sunday weekend. This year it’s inspired by the ‘Glorious Georges’ as Georgian blooms fill the King’s State Apartments. Flower arranging demos at 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm; regular hours 10am-4pm; included in palace admission prices adult £18.20/ages 5-16 £9.10/under 5s FREE (Mar 28-30)
Fri-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: Bond in Motion at London Film Museum, 45 Wellington St, Covent Garden WC2E 7BN (Covent Garden tube)
Petrol heads and Bond enthusiasts converge at the London Film Museum for this spectacular new exhibition showcasing some of the coolest vehicles in cinematic history. Get up close with 007’s famous Aston Martin DB5, Rolls Royce Phantom III and more plus scale and miniature models in what promises to be the largest ever official collection of Bond rides. 10am-8pm (Mon-Thu & Sun), 10am-7pm (Sat), adult £14.50/child £9.50/family of 4 £38/under 5s FREE (opens Mar 21 through 2014)
Sat: The Drones at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG (Archway tube)
Join in with this lively musical concert and workshop with The Drones where you can learn how to make music from a didgeridoo, toys and flower pots as well as more traditional instruments. For ages 3-9. 10am & 11.30am; £4.50/concs. £3/under 2s FREE (Mar 29)
Sat-Sun: Organs on the Terrace at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Pull Out All the Stops season of organ music continues this weekend with free music filling the festival terraces, by travelling organs from around the country. While you’re there, pop into the Real Food Market for some tasty food from the popular street food vendors. From 11am, FREE entry (Mar 29-30)
Sun: Arthur’s Dream Boat at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
The company that brought Shoe Baby and Penguin to the stage present another adaptation of a popular book by Polly Dunbar. Through puppets and crafty storytelling, we follow the adventures of Arthur who grows the boat of his dreams right on his head! Shows from 10.30am (times and dates vary, check diary page); babies and children under 2 will only be admitted at Baby Friendly performances (10:30am Thursday 3rd and 11am Sunday 6th). Baby Friendly shows are not available online – please call box office (advance booking recommended). Adult £12/child £10/babies under 1 FREE (Mar 30-Apr 6)
Sun: Mother’s Day Georgian Tea Party at Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High St Kensington tube)
Treat your mama (or yourself) to a splendid Georgian afternoon tea spread fit for a princess, then follow up with a wander around the gardens and inside the palace where ‘ladylike pursuits’ are on the bill. Georgian Tea is included in regular admission to the palace. 10am-6pm, adult £16.50/child under 16 FREE (Mar 30)
Sun: Mums go Free at Museum of Brands, 2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale Rd, W11 2AR (Notting Hill Gate tube)
Take your mum along to the museum on Mother’s Day and she’ll get free entry to explore more than 12,000 branded items from the Victorian era to present day. From tuck-shop treats to TV characters, this should be a fun trip down memory lane. 10am-6pm (Tue-Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); adult £6.50/ages 7-16 £2.25/under 7s FREE (Mar 30)
LOCAL PICK (ISLINGTON)
Sun: Mother’s Day Boat Trips, towpath opposite Granary Square, N1C (King’s Cross tube)
Climb aboard the Lapwing canal boat for a relaxing journey along the Regent’s Canal, from King’s Cross through Islington tunnel to Camden and back again. You can bring your own food or music and rides are suitable for all ages including babies (boat is buggy-friendly). Boat will be decorated with flowers for Mother’s Day! Departure times hourly from 11am-5pm; adult £10/child £8/senior £8/under 3s FREE (Mar 30)
WE ALSO LIKE
The HTC One Skate Park opens at the Old Selfridges Hotel, offering skateboarding lessons for ages 8+ (from Thu until Apr 19); get on yer bikes for Spin LDN cycling festival at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch (Fri-Sun); catch The Lego movie at Electric Cinema in Portobello (Sat, 9.30am); and try out the best of Northern street food at Guerilla Eats at Camden Town Brewery (Sat, 1-9pm, FREE)
#Win Smafolk Kids Summer Wear from Denmark!
