Hmm… the weather’s a bit grim, so what to do with the kids in London this weekend?
It’s all about Fun Palaces, more than 100 organisations across the UK celebrating the centenary of theatre director Joan Littlewood and her (then) revolutionary idea of the Fun Palace, ‘a temporary and movable home to the arts and sciences that would welcome children and adults alike.’
Our favourite Fun Palaces:
Sat: Arts Depot Fun Palace Birthday Bonanza, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
An unmissable day of entertainment for all ages combining the Fun Palaces weekend with the Arts Depot 10th birthday celebrations. Come along for outdoor performances, short film Brilliant for ages 3-5 by Fevered Sleep, origami workshops, science labs, soft play, storytelling, crafting, party games and birthday disco for kids and grown-ups! 11am-4pm, FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Little Angel Studios Fun Palace, Sebbon Street, Islington, N1 2EH
Transform the new Little Angel Theatre studio into a miniature city where you can create the Islington of the future (FantaCity 3014), using puppets, models and other craftiness at your disposal. There will be mini reports screened on the FantaCity News Channel throughout the day and refreshments for all at the finale. 1-5pm, FREE (Oct 4)
Sat-Sun: Hoxton Fun Palace, 159 Hoxton St, N1 6PJ and various locations (Hoxton overground)
Coordinated by the Ministry of Stories, there will be a weekend of activities in and around Hoxton Hall, from a tea towel party to music and dance workshops for kids, to a performance by Hoxton Singing Mums (Sun, 3pm at Geffrye Museum). Varied events and timings 10.30am-7pm, FREE (Oct 4-5)
Sat-Sun: Southbank Centre Fun Palaces, Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
A weekend of exploring the Fun Palaces idea with talks, performance, short film screenings, poetry readings, ‘build your own Fun Palace’ workshops for all ages, sing-alongs and more. Of course the Southbank Centre is our perfect idea of a Fun Palace, with so much to do throughout the year. While you’re there don’t forget to pop into the Real Food Market for lunch or an early, tasty and affordable dinner with the kids. From 11am-5.30pm daily, FREE (Oct 4-5)
Other Fun Palace highlights: make masks with Friends of Burgess Park in SE15 (Sat), free Story Science fun at Discover in Stratford (Sat), build a brain at Roundhouse Theatre in Camden (Sat-Sun), join in with Maths on Toast at OvalHouse Fun Palace (Sat-Sun); dance to a silent DJ with Told by an Idiot, RADA and Deafinitely Theatre in WC1 (Sun)…
Visit www.funpalaces.co.uk
More Weekend Family Fun in London
Thu-Sun: The Art of the Brick at Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay 91, Brick Lane, E1 6QL (Shoreditch High St overground, Liverpool St/Aldgate East tube)
LEGO mania hits Shoreditch as the long-awaited Art of the Brick exhibition comes to Brick Lane (geddit?). Gawp at 80 sculptures lovingly crafted brick by brick by NY artist Nathan Sawaya from more than 1 million pieces of LEGO. Why not make a lazy Sunday visit to the show, then have a browse of the vintage shops and stalls on Brick Lane market, grab a bite to eat from local street traders (we recommend the Rib Man but don’t bother after 1pm!), and, if you still have the stamina, round off with a trip to nearby Spitalfields City Farm. All ages. 10am-6pm (Sun-Wed), 10am-8pm (Thu), 10am-7pm (Fri-Sat); adult £14.50/child £8/family of 4 £40 (Mon-Thu); adult £16.50/child £9.50/family of 4 £47 (Fri-Sun) (Sep 26-Jan 4)
Thu-Sun: Fantastic Mr Fox at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Watch the very clever Mr Fox in a battle of wits against the farmers trying to trap him, in this joyous adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale, performed by puppets. Best for ages 4-11, baby-friendly performances on Sundays at 11am. Regular shows 10am & 1pm (Wed-Thu), 1pm & 5pm (Fri) and 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); adult £14/child £12/Friday 5pm shows £5 (until Nov 9)
Sat: Mad Life presents Family Festival of Style (right pic) at The Old Baths, 80 Eastway, Hackney Wick, London E9 5JH (Hackney Wick overground)
A new monthly festival for hip mamas and papas and their kids at fab entertainment space The Wick. Entertainers Sharky and George are top of the bill, along with sweetie necklace making, scooter art, urban beach, mini catwalk, giant balloon, cardboard kingdom, tiki bar and more. 11am-11pm, £7 (Oct 4)
Sat: Barbican Centre Framed Family Film Club: How to Train Your Dragon 2, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
We loved How to Train Your Dragon and this sequel’s meant to be just as good. Follow Hiccup and his dragon pal Toothless as they battle villain Drago and restore peace to the land of the Vikings. Exciting animated adventure based on the popular books by Cressida Crowell. 11am, £2 (Oct 4)
Sat: National Theatre Family Day: Paper Theatre in Clore Learning Centre, National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The puppets workshop is sadly sold out but you can still bring the nippers along for a free activity that all ages can enjoy. Create fantastic outfits for a range of characters using paper in this fun workshop looking at costume design. 10am (sign-ups at this time essential), sessions at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.45pm; FREE (Oct 4)
Sat-Sun: Tiny Explorers at Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High Street Kensington tube)
Hurry, hurry! There are still a couple of afternoon sessions left all weekend for this parent and child workshop at historic Kensington Palace. Engage your little one in a multi-sensory adventure where you’re transported back in time through music, movement, messy play and storytelling. For ages 0-4. 10.30am-11.30am(this weekend morning sessions are SOLD OUT), 1pm-2pm, 2.30pm-3.30pm; 1 child + up to 2 adults £6 (Oct 4-5)
Sat-Sun: Once there Was… the Wonderful World of Oliver Jeffers at Discover Story Museum, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 5QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of one of the best loved picture book authors and illustrators. Celebrating the 10th birthday of Oliver Jeffers’ classic tale How to Catch a Star, Discover museum invites little adventurers to play in favourite scenes from his books brought to life. Row a boat, befriend a penguin, take a trip to the seaside, visit the Lost and Found office, and see stars appear as if by magic. For this Opening Weekend you can also meet the characters from his books. Recommended for ages 0-6 and their families. Term time weekdays: 3-5pm (Tue-Fri); 10.20am, 11.20am, 12.20, 1.20, 2.20, 3.15 and 4.15pm (Sat-Sun and school holidays; NB: 10.20 am show on weekdays during school holidays only) (Sep 27-Sep 6, 2015)
Sun: Wool Ride, Potters Fields (and around London), SE1 2AA (London Bridge tube)
Celebrate Wool Week with the Campaign for Wool’s leisurely, family friend ride across London. Get on your bike with your whole brood and cycle past familiar landmarks, starting and ending in Potters Fields. There will be a host of entertainment and activities to take part in at Potters Fields, whether you’re in or out of the saddle: from talks and demos on sheep shearing, to pimp your bike with wool and best woolly knits contests. 11am-2pm, FREE (Oct 5)
We also like
Roll up to Elefest, a jam-packed celebration of Elephant & Castle with arts, music and family fun (Thu-Sun); The Wombles are sold out but Wimbledon Bookfest still has tons on for kids (from Fri-Oct 12); catch the ‘tail’ of a Mucky Pup at Lyric Hammersmith (Fri-Sat); join more Great British Baking fans at the Cake and Bake Show at Earl’s Court (Fri-Sun); watch the UK Rock Paper Scissors championships at Green Man Pub, EC2 (Sat); get juiced up at Roots and Shoots’ 15th annual Apple Day in Lambeth (Sun); try your hand at still life with The Big Draw at Bishop’s Park (Sun)
Images via Fun Palaces, Mad Life and Campaign for Wool
