Some gorgeous family events in our London Kids Weekend Scoop, from South Ken Kids Festival and the Winter Festival on the South Bank, to a Paul Smith/Richard Scarry collaboration and Charlie Dark spinning for Big Fish Little Fish!
My Christmas guide will be out soon, in the meantime you can check out my piece for fab online travel magazine Suitcases & Strollers on 10 Ways to Do Christmas in London!
HOT TICKET
Next Week: South Ken Kids Festival, Institut français | 17 Queensberry Place | London SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Hurry to snap up tickets to this hugely popular literary arts festival that happens every year in South Kensington. As ever, the collaborative ‘drawing duos’ demos are back with The Big Duo featuring Quentin Blake and Daniel Maja (Fri Nov 21, 6.30pm, £5). There’s also a chance to meet Judith Kerr and Anne Fine, watch some charming animated films, or take part in workshops led by Satisho Kutimaro, Axel Scheffler and Okido magazine. Event times vary between 9am-5pm, price range £5-£8 per activity (E-Comics workshop for older kids is £15). Telephone bookings: 020 7871 3515 (Nov 17-23)
Thu-Sun: Southbank Centre Winter Festival, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre is a wondrous place to be at any time of year, but it really comes into its own in the lead-up to Christmas. This year’s Winter Festival sees giant illuminated rabbits, a Christmas tree maze, Christmas tree cafe, and the bustling Christmas Market that’s open for browsing this weekend. More to look forward to in December include family friendly shows by toddler friendly Oily Cart, the amazing Slava’s Snowshow, circus show Timber and screenings of The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf accompanied by live orchestra. All ages. Christmas Market open daily 10am-9pm (Sun-Thu) and 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat); FREE entry (until Jan 4)
Fri-Sat: LAST CHANCE to catch these two fabulous shows for kids – Romeo & Juliet at National Theatre for ages 8+ (ends Fri) and Jump at Peacock Theatre for ages 5+ (until Sat)
Fri-Sat: Young Vic: Dusk (main picture), Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ (Waterloo/Southwark tube)
This sounds adorable: theatre company Fevered Sleep invites young audiences to prick up your ears and romp around in a forest filled with tiny creatures with fluffy tails. Explore the point at which day meets night in a co-production with Young Vic that blends film and live performance. Fluffy tails will be provided! Aimed at kids ages 4-7, older ones and babes-in-arms are welcome. For toddlers, speak to the Welcome Team on 0207 922 2922 for further info. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Tue & Thu), 10.30am (Wed), 10.30am & 4.30pm (Fri), 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm (Sat); £10 (Nov 14-29)
Fri-Sun: Museum of London: A Bear Called Paddington, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (St Paul’s/Barbican tube)
It’s all about the bear from Peru this month as his big screen debut happens at the end of November. There’s an exhibition on at House of Illustration in Kings Cross, and here at Museum of London another display of Paddington’s best known and best loved items is sure to draw the crowds. There’s a Paddington Picnic weekend coming up and an activity space for ages 0-11 to explore. 10am-5pm, FREE (until Jan 4, 2015)
Have you followed the Paddington Trail? Find 50 life-sized statues of Paddington Bear at landmarks around London until Dec 30!
Fri-Sun: London Jazz Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The biggest celebration of jazz from all across the globe takes over the capital for another two weeks. Southbank Centre child friendly highlights include Jazz for Young Players workshops for ages 11-16, and this Sunday there’s a family friendly matinee for ages 7+ with Marilyn Mazur (Nov 16, 2pm, adult £10/child £5). Jazz for Toddlers (Nov 21) is already sold-out but you can still book for Groove Baby Presents, grown-up concerts that your babies and toddlers can groove to (Nov 20, 10.30am, adult £10 + up to 3 kids FREE). Find more family jazz events around town at the London Jazz Festival site (Nov 14-23)
Sat: Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go book signing with Paul Smith at Westbourne House, 122 Kensington Park Rd, W11 2EP (Notting Hill Gate tube)
One of the Babe Papa’s favourite picture books to read with the boys is reimagined in a collaboration between Paul Smith and Richard Scarry’s son Huck to celebrate its 40th anniversary. This edition of Cars and Trucks and Things That Go features a new interactive slipcase with Paul Smith covers and packaging.Come along for a book signing at the Paul Smith shop and also hang out with some of Paul’s firemen buddies in a real fire engine! 2-4pm, FREE (Nov 15)
Sat: Grant Museum of Zoology Family Day: Explore Zoology, 21 University Street | London | WC1E 6JJ (Euston tube)
Take your little animal lovers along for a fascinating rifle through the drawers and cabinets of the museum, checking our specimens and asking questions. If you’ve ever wondered what the skin of a python feels like or how sharp a shark’s tooth is or how many spots a leopard has, this could be a fun and informative afternoon. All ages. 1-4.30pm, FREE (Nov 15)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish with Charlie Dark at Shapes, 117 Wallis Rd Hackney Wick, E9 5LN (Hackney Wick overground)
Whoop whoop! Charlie Dark (Attica Blues) and Jody Thompson are guest DJs for this family friendly throwdown for babes-in-arms to Babe mamas and papas. , this week with a reggae/dancehall wind to add to the funky, housey grooves. Superheroes vs Supervillains dress-up theme and as always Happy Monkey crafts, licensed bar, bubble machine, glow sticks, costume themes and a big floaty parachute dance finale. Recommended for ages 8 and under and their parents/carers. 2-4.30pm; adult £8 adv/£10 door, child £4.50 adv/£5 door, non-walkers FREE (Nov 16)
Sun: Chelsea Theatre: Robins Winter Adventure, 7 World’s End Place on the King’s Road, SW10 0DR (Sloane Square/Earl’s Court tube)
A heartwarming adventure filled with poetry, puppetry, music and a touch of magic as a boy and his feathered friend set out to conquer his greatest fears. New production from Pied Piper Theatre for ages 4+. 11am & 2pm, £9 (Nov 16)
Sun: Keats House Family Day: Witches and Wizards, Keats Grove, NW3 2RR (Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
Head over to the romantic Keats House for a spellbinding day filled with potions and poetry, in the company of a storyteller that brings a mystical element to the activities. Learn some of Merlin’s secrets and invent your own magic. 1-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Nov 16)
Sun: The Albany: Hugless Douglas, Douglas Way. Deptford. London SE8 4AG (New Cross/Deptford overground)
Aww don’t you love Hugless Douglas? One of our favourite tales for toddlers and preschoolers is brought to life in this irresistible new show from Blunderbus with music and puppetry. Follow one bear on his quest for the perfect hug, guaranteed to appeal to your mini cuddle monsters. For ages 3+. Why not combine this show with a day at the Albany’s Growing Up Club, offering indoor and outdoor gardening fun for ages 2-7? Shows at 1pm & 3pm, £7/family of 4 £24 (Nov 16)
We also like
Skate at Somerset House is officially open this week for skaters big and small (until Jan 11); start planning your Christmas feast at the BBC Good Food Show in Olympia (Fri-Sun); East meets West at the ever fascinating Hyper Japan show, also in Olympia (Fri-Sun); and central London’s gonna be rammed as the Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch On takes over with fireworks display too! (Sun)
Images courtesy of Young Vic, Southbank Centre and Paul Smith
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