Is it Easter weekend already? Enjoy the first of several Bank Holiday weekends this spring/summer with our action-packed list of fun things to do with kids in London.
Disney on Ice, Henri Matisse at Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Family Day, St George’s Feast in Trafalgar Square, Fairground in Dalston and loads more family friendly goodness.
And don’t forget to check out our 10 Best Easter Egg Hunts in London guide.
Happy Easter!
Thu-Sun: Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy at Wembley Arena (Arena Square, Engineers Way, HA9 0AA, Wembley Park tube) sees all your favourite characters come to life in a skating extravaganza featuring Cars, Tinkerbell, the Toy Story gang and of course Mickey and co. 11am, 12pm, 2.45pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 7pm £19.75-£48.85 (Apr 17-20)
Thu-Mon: Henri Matisse The Cut-Outs at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
The highly anticipated exhibition of one of modern art’s greatest figures and his invention of the cut-out medium. Little ones will love staring at the shapes and colours, and it’s a great chance to explore the Tate Modern’s activities for families. 10am-6pm, adult £18/under 12s FREE (Apr 17-Sep 7)
Thu-Mon: A Spoonful of Sherman at St James Theatre Studio, 12 Palace St, SW1E 5JA (Victoria tube)
Tune in for an enjoyable evening of family-friendly hits as this critically-acclaimed cabaret performance presents songs from Robert & Richard Sherman, one of Hollywood’s most successful songwriting duos. Sing along to classics from The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and of course Mary Poppins. For ages 7+. 3pm & 7.45pm (Thu & Sat), 7.45pm (Fri, Sat, Mon & Tue); £12.50-£25 (until Apr 22)
Thu-Mon: Charlie’s Chocolate Adventures at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens tube).
Head to the botanical gardens for a festival of Dahl-inspired activities and treats. You can make your own Wonka chocolate bars, hear Revolting Rhymes and enter to win tickets to Charlie & the Chocolate Factory in the West End. All ages. Gardens open daily from 9.30am, activities vary by dates/times (see web site); adult £14.50/child under 17 FREE (until Apr 21)
Thu-Mon: Sailor Tales at HMS Belfast, The Queen’s Walk, off Tooley St, SE1 2JH (London Bridge tube)
Go aboard the historic war ship to hear tales about life during the D-Day campaign from the perspective of the ship’s cat, Frankenstein! 11am-1pm & 2-4pm daily, FREE with regular admission adult £15.50/child under 16 FREE (until Apr 21)
Fri-Sat: Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend at Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Ave, EC1R presents gobbledegook and their sell-out show Deep in the Woods blending storytelling, shadow play, video and light installations and acrobatics for ages 2-5. 11am & 2.45pm, adult £12/child £7. Also catch Rapunzel reimagined for ages 6+ with Liv Lorent choreography and poetry by Carol Ann Duffy, 2.30pm, £15 (Apr 18-19)
Sat-Sun: Fairground London: Launch Weekend at 260-264 Kingsland Rd, E8 4DG (Dalston Kingsland overground)
Our friends at Street Feast are back with another amazing sounding 10 weeks of fun, food and frolics. Easter weekend sees Yum Bun, Baba G and Smokestak taking over different floors and chocolate and milkshake workshop on Easter Sunday. There’s also talks from creatives, live music and DJs, foosball tables and more. 10am-3am (Sat) & 10am-11pm (Sun); FREE before 7pm, £5 (7-9pm) or £7 (after 9pm) (Apr 12/13-Jun 14/15)
Mon: Shakespeare’s Birthday Family Open Day at Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Party with the Bard to celebrate his 450th birthday at this afternoon packed with party games, cake decorating, balloon animals, stilt walkers, Punch & Judy shows and pop-up performances. A great way to visit the largest exhibition dedicated to Shakespeare’s work, at no cost! All ages. 12-5pm (last admission 4.30pm), FREE (Apr 21)
Mon: Feast of St George, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS (Charing Cross tube)
Enjoy a traditional English celebration in Trafalgar Square with a farmer’s market selling everything from hog roast to homemade pies. There’s also a kids’ marquee and an outdoor games area where you can practice garden games. Anyone for croquet? 12-6pm, FREE (Apr 21)
We also like
Celebrate Record Store Day with a free street party at Berwick Street (Sat); swoon over My First Ballet: Coppelia at Peacock Theatre Sadlers Wells (ends Sat); meet the Easter Bunny on Hidden Depths Canal Cruises (Sat-Mon); (Moscow State Circus swings out at Ally Pally (ends Mon); Southbank Centre presents Rubbish (until Tue); you’ll be riding high at the Hampton Court Easter Funfair (Fri-Tue)
Vikings at British Museum!