Boy it’s getting brisk out there eh? Not to worry, plenty of fun family events to cheer you up in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Whether you want to see Toady leaping about (last chance!), Polar Bears going wild, Red Riding Hood on a boat, or a very special bear finding his way home from Paddington station… it’s all here!
Stay warm and have a great weekend x
Fri-Sat: The Wind in the Willows at Vaudeville Theatre, Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, London, WC2R 0NH (Covent Garden/Charing Cross tube)
Last weekend to catch this wonderful ballet for kids based on Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved tale. Choreographer/director Will Tuckett brings Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger to the stage in a spectacular production of song, dance and puppetry. For ages 5+. 7pm (Mon-Tue, Thu & Sun); 2.30pm & 7pm (Wed, Fri & Sat); £15-£57.50 (until Jan 17)
Fri-Sun: The Polar Bears Go Wild at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Brave explorers of the toddler variety are wanted for this not-so-ferocious adventure, in the company of two friendly (and rather naughty) polar bears. Where are they going, how will they get there and do they have enough sandwiches? Fun show for ages 2+, also deaf-friendly as very little language used throughout. 11am & 1.30pm (Tue-Fri, Sun), 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm (Sat); book fast as limited availability (Jan 9-25)
Fri-Sun: London International Mime Festival, various locations across London
Some of the world’s biggest circus, clowning, dance and puppetry acts take various stages in this annual festival showcasing the best of performance without dialogue. Recommended for kids age 5+ and 8+ are shows by Lonely Circus (this Sat & Sun at Southbank Centre), Circus Ronaldo and the amazing Gandini Juggling among others. See the full festival programme for times and dates at www.mimelondon.com (until Jan 31)
Fri-Sun: Winter Lights Weekend Canary Wharf, E14 (Canary Wharf tube/DLR)
After a spectacular opening weekend, Canary Wharf dazzles with light installations, sculptures, lasers and projections by 11 artists from 9 countries. All ages. Daily throughout Canary Wharf, FREE (until Jan 31)
Fri-Sun Little Angel Theatre: Cindermouse, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
A sweet show that transposes the fairytale of Cinderella to the rodent world. Cindermouse has to overcome evil stepsisters to win her prince’s heart in a performance filled with colourful rod-puppet acrobats and dancers. For ages 3 to 8. Babies and children under 3 will only be admitted at Baby Friendly performances (10.30am, Suns). Regular shows at 10.30am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 4pm (times vary daily, check website); adult £14/ child and concs £12 children/family of 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children £48; Friday Fives all performances 5pm for £5 (Fris only) (until Feb 1)
Fri-Sun: Peter Pan at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon)
Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys battle Captain Hook in a show bursting with original songs, puppetry, swashbuckling fun and fairy dust! For ages 6+ but special baby-friendly ‘All Ages Welcome’ performances available. 7pm (Fri Nov 21), general times 11am (Fri), 2pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 11am & 2.30pm (Sun) NB: dates and times vary so confirm via booking; adult £17.50/child £17.50/concs £11.50 (Nov 21-Feb 15)
Fri-Sun: Cirque du Soleil:Kooza at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
The spectacular troupe returns with another dazzling show that goes back to their roots. Kooza combines acrobatic performance and clowning telling the tale of a melancholy loner and his quest to find his place in the world. Expect to have your mind blown. For ages 3+ (younger ones admitted if you feel they can handle it). 8pm (Tue-Thu), 3.30pm & 8pm (Fri-Sat); 3pm & 7.30pm (Sun); adult from £28/child under 12 from £17.80, child discounts apply to all except Saturday shows (Jan 6-Feb 19)
Fri-Sun: The Railway Children at King’s Cross, Goods Way entrance, Kings Boulevard, N1C 4QL (King’s Cross St. Pancras tube/rail)
The Olivier Award winning production is back at King’s Cross, bringing the classic tale by E Nesbitt beautifully to life. Watch a real live steam train steal the show! For ages 2+. 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2pm & 5.30pm (Sat) and 2.30pm (Thu & Sun); £26-£45/25% off for under 16s (until Sep 1, 2015)
Sat: Paddington at Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Westbourne Park/Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill tube)
Please look after this bear. He’s arrived at a central London station all the way from darkest Peru and he doesn’t know anybody in London. But if you take him into your home, he might just end up looking after you (or at least turning your life around for the better). We absolutely LOVED this movie and if you haven’t seen it yet, this is the perfect excuse to snuggle up on the Electric Cinema’s deep sofas or front row beds (if you’re lucky) and feast on a near-perfect family film. 9.30am, £8 (armchairs) or £16 (front row beds or back row sofas) (Jan 17)
Sat: Maths on Toast at St Pancras Square Library, N1C 4AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Anything that makes maths fun for kids is great in my eyes, and community maths group Maths on Toast seems to have found the right balance of education and family fun. The Shape Parade held every other Saturday at St Pancras Square Library offers kids and grown-ups a chance to construct, colour and engage with the basics of maths in a relaxed and friendly environment. Ages 5-12, younger siblings welcome. 2-5pm, FREE (Jan 17-Mar 14)
Sat: Red Riding Hood on Puppet Theatre Barge, 35 Blomfield Rd, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue/Paddington tube)
It’s the well-known story about a girl who wanders into the wood and finds a big bad wolf in place of her grandmother. But it’s given a modern twist with puppetry, shadow play and music on this famous theatre vessel in Little Venice. Ages 3+. Catch it on opening weekend at 11am & 3pm (Sat-Sun); adult £12.50/child £8 (Jan 17-Mar 15)
Sun: Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Shake off the January blues at an Afro Grooves workshop (10am-12pm, £10) and then settle in for the first Mwalimu Express of the year. We love the monthly African themed, multicultural family afternoon club where you can take part in parent & toddler dance, shop African markets, listen to live music from across the continent and round off with an African film. 2-5pm, FREE (Jan 18)
For another taste of Africa, don’t miss the post Memories from Nigeria!
We also like
Little builders and choo choo fans converge at the London Model Engineering Exhibition at Ally Pally (Fri-Sun); get all fancy for a family friendly and FREE daytime Ball in the Hall at Wallace Collection (Sat); watch madcap puppetry and magic for ages 2-7 (babies welcome too) with the Purple Teapot Puppet Company at gorgeous Lauderdale House (Sat); see the Butterflies in the Glasshouse let loose at RHS Garden Wisley (from Sat until Mar 8)
Memories from Nigeria: Christmas and Odu Ceremony