London Kids Weekend Scoop (April 24-27, 2014)

We’re back to school and believe it or not another Bank Holiday looms next weekend. In the meantime, feast your senses on our range of activities for children in London this weekend. As ever, it’s action-packed (with a dash of sci-fi too)!

Thu-Sun: London Children’s Ballet Nanny McPhee at Sadlers Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Enjoy a stunning adaptation of the popular book turned hit movie, performed by 56 dancers ages 9-16. Watch Nanny McPhee take control of a father and his 7 unruly children in a show packed with breathtaking ballet and an original musical score. For ages 3+, no younger children admitted. 7pm premiere (Thu, £45), 6.30pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 12.30pm & 4.30pm (Sun); £14-£55 (Apr 24-27)

Thu-Sun: Angels & Urchins presents Storystock at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, SW3 (Sloane Square tube)
Come and join the travelling storytelling circus for kids ages 4-13 on its last week of kid friendly events. Try your hand at clay modelling, animation, rapping workshops and other family activities inspired by the Saatchi Gallery Pangaea Exhibition. 10.30-12pm (ages 4-7), 12.30-2.30pm or 1-3pm (ages 7-13), 3-5pm (ages 7-13); £15/£18 (Thu) and £10 (Fri-Sun)(until Apr 27)

Thu-Sun: 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-Sun: Segway Rally & Fun Fair at Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
One for the dads. Use the weight of your body to propel yourself around the park via Segway at this popular rally. Safety gear and instructors on hand to assist all participants. While you’re up at the palace grounds, treat the family to rides at the Ally Pally funfair in the Pavilion Car Park. Segway Rally 9am-2pm (Fri Apr 25 only, Sat & Sun tickets already SOLD OUT); from £29. Fun Fair open 12-7pm, child £1 (Apr 24-27)

Sat: Stratford Circus: The Poetry Joe Show, Theatre Square, Stratford E15 1BX (Stratford tube/overground)
Poetry Joe, star of CBeebies Rhyme Rocket, brings his trusty overhead projector, props and more to create an entertaining show for little ones filled with words, magic lantern and shadow puppetry. For ages 3-6. 11.30am & 3pm, £8/£6 concs./family of 4 £24 (Apr 26)

Sat: London Wetland Centre: Save the Frogs Day at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube)
Take your tadpoles along to the centre for a froggy day out, where they can decorate tropical frogs and engage in some pond dipping to find more amphibian friends. 10am-4pm, ; adult £12.35/child £6.90/family of 4 £34.50/under 4s FREE (Apr 26)

Sat-Sun: Fairground London 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. This weekend sees Yum Bun, Baba G and Smokestak taking over different floors and Press Gang London hosting a DIY culture celebration in the Fairground Live room. There’s also talks from creatives, live music and DJs, foosball tables and more. 12pm-3am (Sat) & 12pm-midnight (Sun); Saturdays are FREE before 7pm, £5 (7-9pm) or £7 (after 9pm)/FREE ENTRY all day Sunday (Apr 12/13-Jun 14/15)

Sun: Royal Opera House Family Sunday, Bow St, Covent Garden WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
Immerse the little ones in culture at the Family Day where they can go behind the scenes of the Royal Opera House and learn more about the worlds of opera and ballet. Arrive early, only 100+ tickets first come, first served! All ages. 12pm, £3-£5 (Apr 27)

Sun: OAE Tots: Singing Time at Purcell Room Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8TT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The very popular concerts for under 5s series continues with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment leading young ‘uns in an interactive session. Best for ages 2-5. 10.30am & 12pm, adult £9/child £1/under 2s FREE (Apr 27)

Sun: St George’s Day at Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL (London Bridge tube)
Apparently he’s also the patron saint of farmers, shepherds and butchers so what better way to celebrate St George than to take the family to Borough Market. There will be music, revelry, cooking demos and feasting aplenty, as well as special representation from the Government of Catalonia (yup, he’s their patron saint too)! 12-4pm, FREE entry (Apr 27)

You can also celebrate St George’s Day at Museum of Childhood (Sat, 11.30am-4pm, FREE)

We also like
Watch Olympic style diving at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Fri-Sun, varying times and prices); put your pup on a pedestal at Cabbages & Frocks Dog Day Afternoon in Marylebone (Sat, 11am-5pm, FREE); everything is awesome because The Lego Movie is playing at (Sat, 11am, £2); plant pumpkins at Abbey Gardens Ready Steady Grow family event (Sat, 1-3pm, FREE); dress your monsters, wizards and superheroes for the Sci Fi London Costume Parade at Somerset House (Sun, 1pm, FREE); and celebrate Igloo’s Birthday Party with a fun day at branches on Upper St, N1 2TU, St John’s Wood High St, NW8 7SH and King’s Rd, SW3 5EJ (Sun, 12-5.30pm, FREE)