London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 15-18, 2014)

Ooh don’t we love the sunny skies above, and temperatures are set to climb this weekend! Lots on for parents and kids in London as always, whether you’re a culture crawler or a hot stepper.

Sleepover at Kensington Palace, Camp Bestival and Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, Feast in London Fields, Spitting Image at Cartoon Museum, Tales from Old Japan in North London, Peppa Pig on a Steam Train…

And who’ll be watching the FA Cup Final? Come on you Arsenal!

Fri: Kensington Palace: The Kids’ Sleepover, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High Street Kensington tube)
Sleep like a royal at this rare opportunity to spend the night at the historic palace. Part of the Glorious Georges season and Museums at Night, the Kids’ Sleepover presents an evening of mask making and dancing, slumber in the spectacular palace rooms and a regal breakfast. For ages 7-11, no unaccompanied parents! 6pm-morning, £60, includes breakfast (May 16)

Fri-Sun: Cartoon Museum: Museums at Night Weekend at Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell St, WC1A 2HH (Tottenham Court Rd/Holborn tube)
Come along to the museum for a Design your Own Puppet workshop for ages 7+ (Thu); and special Punch & Judy shows for all the family, with seaside treats including toffee apples and candy floss on offer (Fri). While you’re at the museum, have a gander at the Spitting Image exhibition celebrating puppets from the classic TV animated comedy. Workshop 6-7.30pm, £10 (Thu); Punch & Judy show 6.30-8.30pm, FREE (Fri); museum entry adult £7/child under 18 FREE (MAY 15-17)

Sat: Notting Hill May Fair, St John’s Church, Notting Hill, W11 2NN (Notting Hill Gate/Holland Park tube)
Enjoy a traditional village fete in the heart of West London with maypole dancing, village games and stalls, folk music, handmade goods, dog show, fancy dress parade, Pimms and BBQ grub on offer. 1-5pm, £1 (May 17)

Sat: Feast in the Fields at London Fields Brewhouse, Railway Arches 369-370, Helmsley Place, E8 3SB (Bethnal Green tube/Hackney Central overground)
The summer feasting series is back at the Brewhouse with an array of mouth-watering food and activities on the menu. The Handcrafted in Hackney theme covers 12 food stands including Thank Cluck, Square Pie and Shebeen Queen. Take part in the Hackney Hot Wing and Hotdogathon challenges, also live DJs, craft beer, music, games for kids and cookery demos. 10am-late, £4, buy ahead to avoid disappointment! (May 17)

Sat: Royal Institution Family Fun Day: Great Stuff at Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle St, W1S 4BS (Piccadilly Circus tube)
What happens when you make a liquid with iron filings? How can you make paint change colour before your eyes? Delve into the wonders of the material world, exploring scientific principles using everyday objects from fans to jelly babies! For ages 6-12, younger siblings welcome. 11am-4pm, drop-in, adult £12/child ages 3-18 £6/under 3s FREE (May 17)

Sat-Sun: Peppa Pig at Epping Ongar Railway, North Weald/Ongar Rail stations (Epping tube)
Ride the heritage bus, diesel and steam trains along the Epping Ongar Railway and meet special guest Peppa Pig, with George also along for the ride. Face painting, bouncy castle, petting farm, magic and more entertainment for young and old. From 9.30am-5pm, adult £14/child £8/family of 4 £40/under 2s FREE (May 17-18)

Sun: BFLF presents Camp Bestival’s Travelling Circus at Shapes, 117 Wallis Rd, E9 5LN (Hackney Wick overground)
The 2-4 hour party people join forces with award-winning family festival Camp Bestival to close out their family rave season. Look forward to top DJs Felix of Hot Chip and a super cool surprise guest on the turntables, plus dress-up box and photo booth, glitter cannon and motion capture projection, baby chill-out, toddler play tunnel and licensed bar. All ages. 2-4.30pm, adult £8 adv, £10 door/child £4 adv, £5 door/non-walkers FREE (May 18)

Sun: Tales from Old Japan at Arts Depot (top pic), 5 Nether St, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Three mysterious and delightful Japanese tales are brought lovingly to life through puppetry, music and storytelling from inventive company A Thousand Cranes. For ages 5+. 11am & 2pm, £7 (May 18)

Sun: Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Our favourite family afternoon groove and chill session returns for its monthly outing. Parent and toddler dance workshops, African food and crafts stalls, DJ sessions, live music from London Zulu (Soul II Soul, Neneh Cherry vocalist), games from the Oware Society and African Cinema from Screenstation. 2-5pm, FREE (May 18)

Sun: Keats House Family Day, Keats Grove, Hampstead NW3 2RR (Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
Spend a summery afternoon in the garden at Keats House. This month’s Family Day promises an engaging session of arts and crafts for all ages, inspired by forests, jungles and everything green. 1-4pm, adult £5.50/child under 18 FREE (May 18)

We also like
Street Feast weekly night food market is back in Dalston Yard (Fri-Sat, 5pm-midnight); see the brilliant Wall-E at Everyman Cinemas Screen on the Green in Islington (9.45am); enjoy music, Big Apple Hot Dogs and 20% discounts at Seven Dials Spring Shopping Festival in Covent Garden (Sat, 12-5pm); family friendly opera in Operantics at Rose Theatre Kingston (Sat, 3pm); find furry friends at The London Pet Show at Earl’s Court (Sat-Sun); belt out ‘Let it Go’ at the Frozen Sing Along at Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square (Sun, 1pm)

Images via Notting Hill Mayfest, Big Fish Little Fish, Arts Depot

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