Believe it or not, it’s the final weekend of August and the last weekend of summer holidays. I have to admit I’m a little bit sad. And more than a little bit relieved! How about you?
There are some great things to do with kids in London this weekend and the weather’s meant to hold out too (apparently Monday’s the last properly hot day!), so make the most of it:
Disco Loco in the Park, Little Creatures Family Festival at London Zoo, Battle Bridge at King’s Cross, Big Wedding Weekend at Southbank Centre, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Nunhead, Brunch & Disco in Tulse Hill, Glorious George’s Family Day at Kew Palace…
And we’ll be back next week with our guide to best family fun events for Autumn!
Fri-Sun: Little Creatures Family Festival at London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube).
Celebrate the centenary of the arrival of the world’s most famous bear, Winnie (the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh) at the Little Creatures Family Festival. You can also go on a Teddy Bear’s picnic, explore Tiger Territory, try a wildlife trail and play games on the lawn. 10am-6pm, regular zoo prices (Aug 29-31).
Fri-Sun: King’s Cross Battle Bridge: Boudicca vs the Romans, Granary Square, King’s Cross London N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Last year we discovered what it was like to be a Victorian. This year they’re taking us back to the Gladiators era at this immersive pop-up festival exploring the Roman presence in Britain back in the days of Boudicca. Catch Roman themed flicks (Fri & Sat night), and take part in fun and games including battling like a Gladiator, dressing up like a Roman for a snapshot and indulging in Roman style feasting. Fri night, all day Sat, Sun daytime, FREE entry (Aug 29-31)
Fri-Mon: Southbank Centre Festival of Love: Big Wedding Weekend, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Celebrate the big finale of the fabulous festival with the Big Wedding Weekend where couples of all ages and descriptions can get married, there will be a Wedding Olympics and vows shared in the Big Love Inflatable Church as seen at Camp Bestival! If that’s not enough you can explore the London Wonderground, slide down the big slide installations, play in the Urban Beach, splash through Jeppe Hein’s foutains and of course tuck into great nosh at the Real Food street market. From 9am daily, most activities FREE (Aug 22-25)
Fri-Sun: Aliens Love Underpants at Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX (Leicester Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: The aliens have landed… hold onto your knickers! This dazzling stage show follows the strange travels of creatures from outer space on their quest for their favourite find: undies. Based on the popular book, this show blends madcap action, original music and stunning effects and promises you’ll laugh your pants off. For ages 3+. 11am (Fri), 10.15am, 12pm & 2pm (Sat & Sun); £10-£21 (until Aug 31)
Sat: National Paralympic Day at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ST (Stratford tube/overground)
It’s the Mayor’s Liberty Festival along with National Paralympic Day and a chance to catch some of the best British and international athletes compete at Boccia, Goalball and Wheelchair Basketball at the Copper Box Arena. There will also be a host of arts and entertainment by deaf and disabled artists, and lots of family fun including a chance to have a go at wheelchair basketball and other popular paralympic sports. Tickets for sporting events £5 (under 2s go FREE); other activities around the park are FREE for all (Aug 30)
Sat: House of Illustration: Family Illustration Workshop/The Twits Recipe Book, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross London N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Join in a disgusting cookery class to serve up meals only The Twits would love. This mixed media workshop takes ‘worm spaghetti’ as a starting point to create a Twits Recipe book from 3D illustrations of the most horrible dishes you can imagine. For ages 5+ (and parent/carer), booking essential as only 15 places available. 2-5pm, adult £7/child £4 (Aug 30)
Sat: Fantasy High Street presents Mad Hatters Tea Party, Barset Road, off Evelina Road/Nunhead Lane, SE15 (Nunhead rail)
Come for a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party where every cake tells a story and it’s your challenge to hear it before the cake’s all gone. This interactive performance invites you to munch on treats (and make your own) in the company of much-loved characters from Wonderland. 45 minute sessions (between 12pm-4.45pm), adult £10/child £6; creative cupcakes workshop for kids from 11am-11.45am, child £5 (Aug 30)
Sat: Festival of Triangles at Pirate’s Castle, Oval Rd, NW1 7EA (Camden Town tube/Camden Rd overground)
It’s the Grand Finale of the Festival of Triangles Camden Tour presented by community initiative, Maths on Toast. Bring the kids along for some making, singing, colouring fun (while secretly learning maths!) aimed at ages 5-12, younger siblings welcome. 2-5pm, FREE (Aug 30)
Sat: Brunch & Disco at The Railway Tavern, 7 Station Rise, Tulse Hill, SE27 9BW (Tulse Hill Rai)
Here’s another dancefloor escapade for teeny boppers. The Little Disco Company presents a session of moves and grooves for minis, plus brunch in a treehouse and an open bar for the all the family. The party starts at 10am, with brunch from 11.30am-12.30pm (welcome to stay later) all included in the top ticket price: child £6 (disco only) or £10 with meal/adult £4 (disco only) or £10 with meal/family £17.50 (disco only) or £37.50 with meal (Aug 30)
Sat: Source at Arts Depot (outside area), 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Thrill to Cirque Bijou and Nutkhut’s outdoor circus performance exploring the story of London’s forgotten underground rivers and tunnels in. Visit Cirque Bijou web site for more. 3pm, FREE (Aug 30)
Sat-Sun: Glorious Georges Family Festival at Kew Palace, Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens tube/overground)
Experience fashion, games and characters from the Georgian era at this fun family festival celebrating the Glorious Georges season. Transform yourself into a Royal Courtier, learn court etiquette and prepare for a picnic with King George III himself. You might as well make a day of it and explore the Plantasia horticultural festival at Kew Gardens too! From 10am; adult £15/child under 16 FREE (Aug 30-31)
Sun: Disco Loco in the Park, Springfield Park, Upper Clapton Rd, E5 9EF (Clapton overground/Stoke Newington rail/Manor House tube)
The fantastic family pop-up festival returns for its 3rd outing in Springfield Park, Hackney. Expect more live music, loads of yummy grub, theatre, interactive fun, film and sound pods, DJs and a laidback crowd. Brilliant way to wind down the summer! 11am-6pm, FREE (Aug 31)
We also like
Enjoy craft beers, food and fun for all ages at the Munch Street Food Festiival at Potters Field near Tower Bridge (Fri-Sun); the final weekend of the free Watch this Space Festival at National Theatre is packed with concerts and acrobatics (Fri-Sun); pop along to Gamewagon Minecraft workshops at That Place on the Corner in Stoke Newington (Sat-Sun); last weekend to catch the Great Animal Orchestra at Horniman Museum (until Sun); it’s a big South Asian party for all the family at the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park (Sun); explore the colourful, immersive space This Morning I Woke up from the Most Amazing Dream at Tate Modern, inspired by their Henri Matisse exhibition (ongoing until Sep 7)
Want more? Take a look at our 31 Coolest Things to Do with Kids in London this Summer!
Photos via Disco Loco (1 & 3) and Maths on Toast (2)
