London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 29-Jun 1, 2014)

We’ve had a couple of duvet days over May Half Term but the weather’s brightening up (I’m told) and there’s an action packed weekend ahead.

Lots of lovely things to do with kids in London in our Weekend Scoop. Enjoy!

Thu-Sun: In the Night Garden Live
Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy, Tinky Winky and Makka Pakka storm the O2 Centre as the kiddies go wild for the colourful crew. See the Ninky Nonk show or the Pinky Ponk show and feel the magic for ages 0-5. 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm; £17.50-£28 (May 29-Jun 14)

Thu-Sun: Up and Down at Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Rd, N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Watch Ga Ga Theatre Company’s warm-hearted and interactive show for ages 0-5, based on the popular picture book by Oliver Jeffers about a plucky little penguin who wants to take flight. 10.30am (Tue-Fri), 10am & 11.30am (Sat-Sun), £12/under 2s FREE (May 27-Jun 1)

Fri-Sun: Udderbelly Festival: A Simple Space, at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8TX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Seven young acrobats push themselves and your imaginations to the limit in a show that blends back-flips and breathtaking stunts. Suitable for all ages. Shows at 7.30pm (Fri), 6pm (Sat) and subsequent days 2.30pm (Sat from Jun 6), 7.30pm (weekdays) and 6pm (weekends) (May 31-Jun 6)

Fri-Sun: Mammoths: Ice Age Giants at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Get ready to encounter some of the largest animals that ever walked the face of the Earth. See rare glimpses of real life skeletons with towering tusks and trunks, bringing the Ice Age sharply into life. All ages. 10am-5.50pm daily, adult £10/child £6/family of 4 £28 (May 23-Sep 7)

Sat: Kipper’s Birthday at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High St Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford overground and tube)
Celebrate 25 years of Kippers books with the Story Builders. There will be a feast of Kipper stories and a chance to meet the cuddly character in the, ahem, flesh. For ages 3+. 12.30pm & 2.30pm, adult £5/child £5/family of 4 £18/under 2s FREE (May 31)

Sat: Kid’s Hula Bop at London Hoop Fest, at Mile End Art Pavilion, 47-48 Tanner St, E3 4QY (Mile End tube)
Bring your tiny hula hoopers along for this special family friendly spinathon with the London Hoop Fest crew. There will be hoop skills, hoop games and hoop disco and parents are encouraged to spin along. Ages 5-12. 2-3.30pm, £3 per child (May 31)

Sun: Big Lunch at Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
The weather looks promising and it’s a great day to hang out in the lovely playground and share a lovely meal with your friends, neighbours and other locals. The Big Lunch celebrates the community spirit, with guests encouraged to bring a dish to share. There will also be a climbing wall for kids and of course the playground and petting farm to explore. 9am-dusk (lunch at lunch time!), FREE (Jun 1)

Sun: Arts Depot: Rock Pool, 5 Nether St, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
There’s splashy dancing and rock music on the cards at this fun and tender tale about a Prawn and a Crab adrift in a rock pool, and having to put aside their differences to find their way home. For ages 3+. 12pm & 3pm, £7 (Jun 1)

Sun: Heavy Horse Festival in Chapel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ (Turkey St rail, 15 mins from Seven Sisters tube)
Enjoy a special day out in the local countryside with Heavy Horse breeds including Clydesdales, Shires and Suffolks on parade, plus lots of stands and activities. 11am-5pm, adult £6.50/child £3.50/under 2s FREE (Jun 1)

Sun: Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair, York Hall, 5 Old Ford Rd, E2 9PJ (Bethnal Green tube)
The ever popular fair comes to Bethnal Green for another round of handpicked stalls, affordable fashion and gorgeous stalls to spend the afternoon rummaging with your little ones. Who knows, you might spot a celeb or two? 10.30am-4.30pm, £3 early bird (10.30am-11am)/£2 general (after 11am) (Jun 1)

We also like

Enchanting family animation The King and the Mockingbird at Barbican Cinema (Sat); there are vintage children’s films for ages 3-7 at Birkbeck Pop Up University showcase Seldom Scene on Queen’s Parade, Willesden Green High St (Sat); head to the Big Worm Dig at Camley Street Natural Park in N1 (Sat); and there’s a Big Lunch and Family Fun Day at Stepney City Farm in east London (Sun)

Find more things to do this weekend in our May Half Term Guide