Happy Independence Eve to our American readers! There’s a Fourth of July in London event to light your sparklers, along with many more fun things to do with kids around town.
American Independence Day Picnic in Portman Square, Paddington Bear on the Epping-Ongar Railway, Twelfth Night for Ages 6 and Over in Regent’s Park, Design Museum Birthday Celebrations, My Kidsy #Loomfest in Kensington Gardens, The Elephantom at New London Theatre, Summer Fete in Battersea, Brasiliance Weekend at Rich Mix, Wimbledon Finals in Granary Square…
Play on!
Thu-Sun: The Elephantom at New London Theatre, Drury Lane, WC2B 5PF (Holborn tube)
We’re looking forward to reviewing this critically acclaimed production that transferred from National Theatre to the West End. A little girl makes friends with a ghost-elephant in her bedroom, and it’s the start of a very messy adventure. Puppetry, music and laughs for ages 3+. 11.30am & 2.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2.30pm (Mon) & 10am (Sat); £13-£20 (Jun 30-Sep 6)
Thu-Sun: Barbican Centre: Digital Revolutions at Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
This sounds super cool: an immersive exhibition exploring new digital culture and technology, bringing together the worlds of gaming, film, architecture, design and music. Works and new commissions by artists as varied as Bjork, Tim Webber and Framestore (the visual effects team behind the film Gravity) and will.i.am. 10am-6pm (Sat-Wed); Thu-Fri (10am-9pm); adult £12.50/child 5-16 £5/under 5s FREE. Advanced booking essential (Jul 3-Sep 14)
WATCH WIMBLEDON ON THE BIG SCREEN FOR FREE!
Thu-Sun: Strawberries and Screen at King’s Cross Granary Square, NC1 (King’s Cross tube)
Kick back on deck chair and catch all the action from centre court as the big screens return to King’s Cross Granary Square. There will be strawberries, cream, jugs of Pimms and more on offer. Daily, FREE (until Jul 6)
You can also watch the tennis at Wimbledon screenings at Duke of York Square; Wimbledon Screenings at One New Change in EC4 (St. Paul’s tube); Regent’s Place Summer of Sport, W1; Wimbledon on the Rooftop at Cardinal Square in Victoria; Wimbledon at More London’s The Scoop;
Thomas More Square in Tower Hill; New Street Square in Chancery Lane; and Wimbledon Live on The Street at Westfield Stratford City (until Jul 6)
Thu-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 (until Aug 16)
Fri-Sun: Twelfth Night Reimagined for Ages 6 and Over at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Don’t miss this brilliantly inventive production, reimagining Shakespeare’s comedy of mixed-up identity for anyone ages 6 and up. A madcap tale of love and courtship, filled with sight gags, music and water pistols! 1.30pm (Fri, Tue, Wed); 9.45am (Sat), 10am & 1.30pm (Sun); £15/family of 4 £50 (until Jul 12)
Sat: Design Museum 25th birthday, Shad Thames, SE1 2YD (Tower Hill tube/Tower Gateway DLR)
Celebrate the Design Museum’s 25 year anniversary at a party on Shad Thames with BBQ food from Mother Flipper, drinks and cake from the museum cafe, and a free Memory Lane workshop exploring the museum’s past. Plus you can check out the Designer of the Year exhibition for adult £8.80/child £4.40. 12-5.30pm, activities FREE entry, exhibition regular charge (Jul 5)
Sat-Sun: Meet Paddington Bear on the Epping Ongar Railway at North Weald Station, CM16 6BT (central line Epping tube, then via heritage bus to North Weald rail)
We love that little bear from Peru and here’s his first-time outing on the heritage railway from Epping to Ongar. Ride the vintage bus, steam and diesel trains, catch up with Paddington Bear (appearances throughout the day), bring your own teddies along for a teddy bear picnic. There will also be bouncy castle, face painting, and goody bag for any child with a teddy. Train rides from 9.30am-5pm, adult £12/child £6.50/family £32 (Jul 5-6)
Read about our Steam Train Ride on the Epping-Ongar Railway
Sat-Sun: Brasiliance Weekend at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Discover the fascinating real-life stories of Brazilians who have been living in London since the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Readings, visual arts, live music and food. 11.30am-around 9pm, most events FREE (Jul 5-6)
Find more family friendly footie events in our World Cup 2014 London Kids guide
Sun: My Kidsy Loom Band Challenge at Kensington Gardens, opposite Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington W2 2UH (Lancaster Gate tube)
Join other Rainbow loom band crazy kids in Kensington Gardens for an afternoon of band making fun and the opportunity to set a new Guinness World Record by making the longest loom band in history! Bring your friends, family and a picnic along for what promises to be an il-loom-inating session. Ba boom. From 11am to around 2pm, FREE entry (Jul 6)
Sun: Battersea Summer Fete on Northcote Rd, Battersea, SW11 (Clapham Junction rail)
Come along for a traffic-free day of fun on Northcote Rd with ping pong tables, fairground rides, AstroGlide, stalls, food, music stage, and Wimbledon men’s final screening. NB: Buy a fairground ride-all-day wristband in advance for £15 from Hamptons International (98-100 Northcote Road) and All Good Gifts (65 Northcote Road). 11am-6pm, FREE entry (Jul 6)
Sun: American Independence Day Picnic in Portman Square, W1H 7BH (Bond St tube)
Join in the annual 4th of July shindig in central London as Democrats Abroad celebrate with mouthwatering food stalls selling American and international grub, supervised fun and games for the kids, live classical, rock, jazz and folk music and more. Bring your own blankets or picnic chairs. From 12pm-late; adult £12.50/child 6-16 £3.50/under 6s FREE (Jul 6)
We also like
Make fungi sculptures at the Garden Museum (Sat); enjoy traffic-free shopping and entertainment on Regent Street Summer Streets (Sun); Hampstead Summer Festival kicks off with the Big Fair on Hampstead Heath (from Sun); explore sustainable living at the Cecil Sharp House Permaculture Festival (Sun); catch cyclists whizzing by with the Tour de France in London (Mon); play Beach Volleyball in Canary Wharf (daily until Jul 18)
What a great round-up of activities as always. Need to pop in to Regent Street to enjoy traffic free shopping on Sundays, I had no idea!
Thanks honey and yes Regent Street is doing a few more Summer Streets so get in there ;-) x