London Kids Weekend Scoop (Sep 11-14, 2014)

 

 
I enjoy putting this guide together on a Thursday because it gives me that Friday feeling one day early!

As usual I’ve rounded up the coolest activities and events for parents and their young ‘uns. Some fabulous things to do in London with kids this weekend:

On Blackheath music festival, St Katherine Docks Boat Festival, Kings Place Festival, the season premiere of Big Fish Little Fish family rave, Spiegeltent at Canary Wharf, Africa Utopia weekend at Southbank Centre…

Read on!

 

 
Thu-Sun: Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre is the spot to be this weekend for what sounds like a glorious celebration of how African art and ideas can change the world for the better! Explore African dance, design, fabric and fashion through the ages, browse market stalls, enjoy authentic dishes from the Africa Utopia Food market, watch spoken word and live theatre performances and more. There’s comedy from Gina Yashere, storytelling, Natural Hair workshops, an African dance party (Sat 5pm) and on Sunday, a hip hop takeover with African b-boys commanding the crowds for classes and dance-offs. All ages. 1 day pass £12, many events are FREE (Sep 11-14)

Thu-Fri: Barbican Centre: Digital Revolutions at Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube).
LAST CHANCE: Dig in to new digital culture and technology, at this exhibition 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. All ages. 10am-6pm (Sat-Wed); Thu-Fri (10am-9pm); adult £12.50/child 5-16 £5/under 5s FREE. Advanced booking essential (until Sep 14)

Thu-Sun: Sensational Butterflies at Natural History Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube).
LAST CHANCE: Follow in Prince George’s tiny footsteps on the hunt for butterflies and moths of all descriptions as dozens flutter about in this hugely popular walk-through exhibition. All ages. 10am-5.30pm, £5.50/under 5s FREE (until Sep 14)

 

 
Fri-Sun: Kings Place Festival, 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross tube)
We love the annual Kings Place Festival, a fantastic way to immerse yourself and your family in culture at a pocket-friendly price. For kids, there are intergalactic-themed Family Concerts with Aurora Orchestra for ages 0-5 (Sat 10.15am, 11am and 11.45am) and a concert for ages 6+ (Sat 1.45 pm) along with Guardian Newspaper family workshops (Sat 1pm, waiting list only); also catch a performance of Alice in Wonderland with handmade puppets (Sun 10am), plus gardening fun with Global Generation (Sun 1pm). Throughout the festival you’ll find more fab and FREE activities for kids from paper crafting to cake decorating. All ages. From 10am daily, adult £6.50/child £4.50/family from £16.50/no charge for workshops (Sep 12-14)

 

 
Sat: Spiegeltent at Canary Wharf: A Real Fairy Story, Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14 (Canary Wharf tube/DLR)
The pop-up Spiegeltent launches this weekend, unveiling a dazzling programme of circus, comedy, literary, theatre and craft activities for all the family. Next week our friends from Big Fish Little Fish will be raving in the tent. This Saturday, you can follow Ripstop Theatre on a quest to photograph a real fairy in an enchanting theatre piece for all ages (Sat, 12pm & 2pm, £7). Times and prices vary for other events. (until Sep 21)

Sat-Sun: On Blackheath Festival, Blackheath Common, SE3 0UA (Lewisham, Blackheath, Greenwich rail/North Greenwich tube)
This tasty sounding two-day party on Blackheath Common brings big acts like Massive Attack, Grace Jones, Jo Goddard of Hot Chip, Frank Turner and The Levellers out to play. Listen up for DJ sets, tuck into Gizzi Erskine’s Chef’s Club dishes in the Food Village, pop into Kids World with the kids, enjoy street theatre and walkabout entertainment. All ages. Adult day ticket £57.50, weekend £99/child under 16 day ticket £35, weekend £60/disabled day £28.75, weekend £49.50/under 5s FREE but ticket required (Sep 13-14)

Sat-Sun: St Katherine Docks Classic Boat Rally (Totally Thames Festival), 50 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA (Tower Hill tube)
If you missed the Tall Ships in Greenwich last week, you can still get a taste of life at sea at this classic boat festival. Climb aboard the stunning vessels, take a tour of the famous docks, hear live music and enjoy quayside dining with your crew. All ages. 12-6pm, FREE (Sep 13-14)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Blue Ribbon Village (Totally Thames Festival), Potters Fields Park, London SE1 2AA (London Bridge tube)
It’s a stacked weekend of activities in this family friendly zone where fun-lovers of all ages can meet furry friends from Vauxhall City Farm, take part in hands-on clay modelling, make boats to sail on a Tiny Thames, try on edible hats and dance the days away to DJs and live bands. All ages. 12-6pm, FREE (Sep 13-14)

Sat-Sun: Unicorn Theatre: See Saw, 147 Tooley St SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
It’s not easy being little. There’s so much fun to be had and so many places to explore, but you can’t do it alone and a seesaw only works with two. This sweet tale of friendship from the perspective of the very young is aimed at ages 2+. 11am (Sat-Sun), varying times and dates (Tue-Fri); £10-£16 (until Nov 2)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish, The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD (Balham tube/rail)
The mini rave for misbehavers of all ages is BACK for a new season with DJs Will Nicol and DJ Food. There’ll be pirate a-plenty on the dancefloor with dress-up theme “raise the jolly roger”. You can make pirate accessories or work on a giant mural with Captain Cookie in the Happy Monkey craft room. Also a playroom, cake decorating and home-made cake stall and a licensed bar. Lucky kids get Happy Monkey smoothies, Bear Nibbles, transfer tattoos and glowsticks included in ticket price! Recommended for 8 and under and their parents/carers. 2-4.30pm, £9/non-walkers FREE (Sep 14)

Sun: Hackney One Carnival, in and around Hackney, E8/E9 (Dalston Kingsland, Dalston Junction and Hackney Central overground)
Hackney get ready! The one day carnival is back for another year promising good music and vibes for kids and adults alike. Chill out in Gillett Square at the all-day children’s play area, where kids can take part in games from around the world. There’s a colourful procession with the party continuing in Ridley Rd where Brazilian, soca and reggae music will fill the streets. Hear sounds from Hackney’s best up and coming artists and of course, enjoy the diverse street food. All ages. 12-8pm, FREE (Sep 14)

Sun: Comedy Club for Kids at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Is there anything cuter than hearing your little ones belly laughing? Join in the giggles at this stand-up performance specially aimed at children ages 6 and over. All the fun of live comedy with none of the swearing! 12pm & 2.30pm, £7 (Sep 14)

We also like
The programme of FREE Summer Screenings at More London features The Croods (PG) this evening (Thu); Ikea is hosting an Ideas Festival for families with storytelling, treasure hunts, massage and helpful tips for the home (Sat-Sun); there’s some fun stuff for bigger kids at Kidsfest at the Hampstead and Highgate Literary Festival (until Sun); find out who’s the fastest Brixtonian in the Brixton Bolt 100m dash series and fun day out (Sun)