Better late than never, our Weekend Scoop is bursting with things to do with kids in London this super sunny Saturday and Sunday. Get out there!
Sat-Sun: Greenwich Fair: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, various sites around Greenwich (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail/Canary Wharf tube)
Every year this bubbling part of London is taken over by the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, and for three days over the first weekend of the festival the Greenwich Fair brings a vibrant mix of theatre, street arts, dance performances, pop-up installations and family friendly workshops. And it’s all FREE! Dates and times vary, check the web site for details. (Jun 20-23)
Sat-Sun: Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace, Courtyard, Eltham, Greenwich SE9 5QE (Eltham/Mottingham rail)
Knights on horseback battle away at this fun tournament in the grand surroundings of Eltham Palace. There’ll also be music, feasting, falconry and medieval games to play, plus a young knights’ school for wannabe jousters. 12-5pm, adult £12/child £7.20/family £31.20/under 5s FREE (Jun 21-22)
Sat-Sun: West End Live, Trafalgar Square, SW1Y 5AY (Charing Cross tube)
Enjoy the best of West End musicals and theatre for no cost at what’s become a huge celebration of London’s stage talent. Stars from Wicked, Matilda, Mamma Mia, War Horse, Jersey Boys, perform for raving crowds. Get there early! 11am-6pm (Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun), FREE (Jun 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Taste of London, Regent’s Park, NW1 5HA (Baker St tube)
Described as the ‘world’s greatest restaurant festival’ this is an opportunity to sample dishes from the hottest restaurants in town; plus masterclasses, cooking demos, sushi making, kids activities and more tasty fun. 12-4pm & 5.30-9.30pm (Sat), 12-5pm & 5.30-9.30pm (Sun); adult £25.80-£28/child £12.40-£14/under 5s FREE (Jun 18-22)
Sat-Sun: Moominsummer Madness at Polka Theatre (pictured), 240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
The fabulous Moomins arrive at Polka Theatre in puppet form (with music and humour) in a collaboration with Little Angel Theatre, celebrating the 100th birthday of Tove Jansson, creator of the classic picture books. Ages 4+ (plus special All Ages welcome shows for babies). From 11am (dates & times vary); £13.50/concs £9 (Jun 11-Aug 16)
Sat-Sun: Brasil 2014 Screenings at The Wick at CRE8 Lifestyle Centre, The Old Baths, 80 Eastway, E9 5JH (Hackney Wick tube)
A brilliant pop-up festival for the World Cup offering giant screens, outdoor beach, live music and DJs, a kids play zone, ice cream emporium, footy pitch and competitions, food from the likes of Big Apple Hot Dogs (represent!), BBQ, beer garden, cocktails and more. All ages. Keep an eye on the The Wick Facebook page for opening hours, all FREE entry (Jun 12-Jul 13)
Find more family friendly footie events in our World Cup 2014 London Kids guide
Sat-Sun: 1001 Nights at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
An enchanting reworking of the classic Arabian Nights folk tales with a modern spin by Transport Theatre. Torn between her Eastern heritage and her new home in England, young Shahrazad uses objects around her to draw us into a fantastical world. Best for ages 7+. 11am, 1.30pm & 2pm (dates and timings vary), £10-£16 (Jun 5-22)
Read my Interview with Transport Theatre director Douglas Rintoul
Sun: Meltdown Festival Sunday Come Down, Festival Terraces, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Fun-sounding event for former ravers who have gone from all-nighters with their mates to all-nighters with their bubbas. Enjoy a free day of outdoor moves and grooves with a line-up of top DJs including Don Letts, James Lavelle, James Priestley and Horsemeat Disco. 12pm-7pm, FREE (Jun 22)
We also like
Stop by the Kensal Green Summer Fete (Sat until 4pm); young ‘uns can join in a non-competitive Penguin Waddle at London Zoo (Sun); settle down for a Cushion Concert (for ages 7+) at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 with the St Martin-in-the-Fields orchestra (Sun); pop down to the Spitalfields City Farm Summer Market in E1 (Sun)
