Easter in London: 22 Cool Things to Do with Kids (March-April 2015)

 

 
Woah there, Betty. How are we at Easter already? Spring hasn’t entirely sprung yet but we’re in a happy hoppy mood for the holidays.

My guide to Easter in London is packed with some unmissable family theatre, outdoor fun, free events at the museums, artsy crafty activities and more. Look out for my Best Easter Eggs in London blog trail for babes coming soon!

 

 

BABES CHOICE

All Aboard New Kids Playzone at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza (south east corner), WC2E 7BB (Covent Garden tube)
Choo choo fans and transport lovers of all kinds can come and play at the brand new kids playzone opening this Easter at London Transport Museum. Kids can fly the Emirates Air Line cable car, sail the Thames Nipper, serve passengers in the Nipper cafe, bounce around on noisy seats and much more. Daily holiday activities (Mar 30-Apr 17) inspired by All Aboard include workshops to make puppets and shoot a short video (ages 6-12) and to help lost animals find their way around London (ages 3-6). Playzone aimed at ages 0-7, museum for all ages. 10am-7pm, adult £16 annual ticket/concs. £13.50/child under 16 FREE (from Mar 28-ongoing)

Punchdrunk Enrichment presents Against Captain’s Orders: A Journey into the Uncharted at National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, G’wich SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Set out on a whirlwind immersive journey with Punchdrunk Enrichment to discover the history of artefacts kept at the National Maritime Museum. The creators of hit shows like The House where Winter Lives have specially designed this fantastical theatre experience around the museum for children ages 6-12 and their families. Follow on Twitter #againstcaptainsorders. From 10am daily, £19.75 (Mar 28-Aug 2015)

Roald Dahl’s The Twits, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS (Sloane Square tube)
Just a few weeks back we heard WWE wrestling superstar Jack Swagger at Roald Dahl Museum reading The Twits out loud! It’s one of the most fun children’s books to read aloud and now Royal Court Theatre brings the story to the stage, in this cheeky adaptation of . Meet the nastiest family in town and find out if their caged monkeys can bring them to order! For ages 7+. Matinees at 1.30pm or 2.30pm, evening shows 7.30pm (Tue-Sat, dates and times vary); £10-£35 (Apr 7-May 31)

Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith (main pic), Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
This was one of my all-time favourite films as a child and I’m so excited about its big stage adaptation. Fat Sam’s Grand Slam hits Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in a spectacular production of Alan Parker’s musical. Join Bugsy, Blousey and Talullah on a familiar caper filled with fab tunes and splurge guns. For ages 6+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £15-£40 (Apr 11-Aug 1)

 

 

FAMILY SHOWS

The Velveteen Rabbit at Unicorn Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
What could be better for Easter than a journey into the tale of the Velveteen Rabbit, brought to the Unicorn stage again by popular demand. The adaptation of a classic US story about a toy rabbit who longs to be real will enchant the youngest viewers. Unicorn Theatre are running two special sessions to accompany the performance: Easter Eggstravaganza (Apr 4, 4.30pm, £4), a sock bunnies workshop on stage after the show with a chocolate surprise from the Velveteen Rabbit; and Afternoon Tea with Rabbit (Apr 10, 4.30pm, £8), a bunny craft and cream tea date with the cast on stage. For ages 4+. Hurry as show tickets are selling out for Easter performances! 10.30am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4.30pm (times and dates vary), £10-£16 (Mar 28-Apr 26)

My First Ballet: Swan Lake, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT, (Holborn tube)
After the success of Coppelia and Sleeping Beauty, Sadler’s Wells presents another enchanting ballet performance for kids as young as 3, in a unique collaboration between English National Ballet and English National Ballet School. It features an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s score and a narrator to help the little ones follow along with the tale of an evil magician who transforms a princess into a swan. Ages 3+. 11am, 2pm, 3pm & 5pm (times and dates vary); £10-£25/family £65 (Apr 2-12)

Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend at Sadler’s Wells and Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Ave, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The ever popular Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend returns with three shows to delight younger viewers. Original dance theatre piece Varmints (Apr 3-4) presents the plight of a small creature trying to preserve a life under threat from urbanisation. Ages 7+, 2pm & 5pm (Fri), 12.30pm (Sat), adult £12/child £7 ; the dreamlike show Constellaciones (Apr 4) invites audience members to explore the colourful world of Miro’s paintings through dance. Ages 4+, 2pm & 5pm, adult £16/child 8; Stars in their Eyes (Apr 5-6) showcases the talents of young performers from across the UK. Ages 3+ (younger ones will not be admitted). 1pm & 7.30pm, £29-£39 (Apr 3-5)

CBeebies Live! Presents Justin and Friends: Mr Tumble’s Circus at Wembley Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, HA9 0AA (Wembley Park tube)
Justin Fletcher MBE aka Mr Tumble is a rockstar of toddler telly and he’s bringing his circus to town, with help from Gigglebiz faves Keith Fitt, Dina Lady, Gale Force and Arthur Sleep, presenter Andy Day and more. 1.30pm & 4.45pm (Sat), 11am & 2pm (Sun); £16.75-£29.50 (Apr 4-5)

We also like
Get to dizzying heights with the Moscow State Circus in Richmond (Mar 26-31) and Shepherd’s Bush (Apr 3-19); enjoy a musical family comedy of balloonacy and history in Blanchard’s Balloon at Cockpit Theatre (Mar 28, ages 5+);
go ripping and roaring with Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs at Arts Depot (Mar 29, ages 4+); celebrate the joy and power of singing together with Chorus Festival at Southbank Centre (Mar 30-Apr 12); fly off with Operation Magic Carpet at Polka Theatre (Apr 3-May 24, ages 6-11); last chance to catch Treasure Island at National Theatre (ends Apr 8, ages 10+)

 

 

SIGHTS & SCENES

Disney’s Cinderella in Leicester Square, Leicester Square Gardens, WC2H 7DE (Leicester Square tube)
Get up close with 30 gorgeous gowns and more than 100 props from the box office hit Disney’s live action Cinderella, including the stunning carriage and the Swarovski glass slipper. Experience five multi-sensory zones in what promises to be a fairytale experience for all the family. 10am-8pm (hourly entry); FREE but advanced booking recommended via Ticketmaster to avoid disappointment (Mar 21-Apr 10)

Alice in Wonderland at Urban Food Fest, Euro Car Parks, 162-167 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6HU (Shoreditch High St overground/Liverpool St tube)
We’re hot on street food and we dig the sound of the Alice in Wonderland themed street food party run by Urban Food Fest. There will be Mad Hatters abounding and crazy White Rabbits to chase, and watch what you eat and drink in Wonderland! Street food trucks and stalls in service will be dishing out everything from pulled pork and tacos, to crepes and churros. All ages. 5pm-midnight, FREE entry (Mar 28)

Funfair on Clapham Common, main entrance off The Avenue, S. Circular Rd, SW4 9AR (Clapham Common tube)
Easter holidays brings the funfair back to Clapham Common, with loads of rides from dodgems and tea cups to Dumbo’s flying elephants. Sessions are from 12-3pm, 3-6pm & 6-9pm; all attractions FREE with wristband, charges for rides, unlimited rides now available £7.99 (under 1 metre tall) or £9.99 (over 1 metre) (daily, Mar 27-Apr 12).

You can also spin the young ones into a frenzy at other Spring Funfairs at Hampton Court (Apr 3-7) and Crystal Palace (Apr 10-26)

Balloons at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 3 Thornton Street, E20 2AD (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Come and play amongst a kaleidoscope of 2,500 balloons floating from Europe’s tallest sculpture, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, in celebration of the sculpture’s first birthday. Visitors of all ages can play among the balloons on the top viewing platform, as well as the topsy turvy reflections from two giant concave mirrors. On Fri Apr 17 hang out for a late night soiree with 300 LED balloons and an evening bar from 7-10pm. 10am-6pm; adult £11.95 adv. or £15 walk-up rate/child £5.95 adv. or £7 walk-up rate/family of 4 £32 adv. or £40 walk-up rate (Apr 3-10 and Apr 17-19)

We also like
Fun and games at the Spring Fete at King’s Cross (Mar 28); follow the Shaun in the City Sculpture Trail (until May 25); be dazzled by the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at V&A Museum (ongoing); LAST CHANCE to catch LEGO exhibition Art of the Brick in Shoreditch (ends Apr 12)

 

 

ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS

Handa’s House at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Little Angel Theatre run hugely popular Saturday morning Puppet Club and Crafty Days courses for kids. This Easter, they’re also transforming their brand new studio (minutes from the theatre) into a fantastic make and take space for all comers. You could catch Handa’s Surprise in the Little Angel Theatre, but even if you’re not seeing a performance you’re welcome at Handa’s House to join in puppet making and crafting fun. For ages 2-5. 10am-1pm or 1.30pm-4.30pm, drop-in, £4 per person (Apr 1)

Muppets and Puppet Making at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Glitter guns and glue sticks at the ready! This series of holiday screenings and workshops kicks off with Coraline and a short course in stop motion animation and puppet fun with moody effects for ages 8-11. 9.30am-2pm (workshop), 2pm-3.40pm (film); £27.50/£20 siblings (Wed Apr 1). Then it’s Muppets Most Wanted and a ‘crime caper’ workshop using drama games and scripting for ages 8-11. 10am-2.30pm (workshop), 2.30pm-4pm (film); £27.50/£20 siblings (Thu Apr 2). For younger kids there’s Muppets Messy Time sock puppet making, arts and crafts, and Muppets Most Wanted screening for ages 0-7. 12.30pm-2pm (workshop), 2.30pm-4pm (film); £5/siblings £4 (Tue Apr 7). Finally kids can make puppets and bring them to life on screen, for ages 8-14. 10am-2.30pm (workshop), 2.30pm-4pm (film) (Wed Apr 8)

Easter Club at The Doodle Bar, 33 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London SW11 4NP (Battersea Park rail/Sloane Square tube)
Toddle along to the scribble-friendly bar in Battersea for some holiday crafting activities. For older kids ages 8-11 there’s screenprinting (Apr 1, £20 per person) and tie-dying (Apr 2, £20 per person) and children are urged to dress for mess and bring anything old e.g. t-shirts to upcycle. For younger ones ages 3-7, there’s messy play including wild beast mask making and balloon papier mache (Apr 7-8, £10); and for all ages you can stitch your own hessian bag and discover a mini egg inside (Apr 9, £15 adult + child) or make bunting, followed by a chance to hunt for Easter eggs (Apr 10, £15 adult + child). Yummy pizza from Well Kneaded available throughout the Easter club. Booking ahead for activities strongly advised (Apr 1-10)

Gardens Galore at Geffrye Museum 136 Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
When the weather’s warm, the Geffrye Museum’s outdoor space is a lovely place to hang out. You can celebrate the reopening of their gardens and their new garden activity cart with daily workshops like making bottle bird gardens, bug pillow cases, herby headwear, and springtime t-shirts. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Apr 7-10)

Easter Holidays at Discover, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 5QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Tons of fun planned for the Easter when Discover is open daily. The hugely popular Where’s Wally Weekend (Apr 11-12) returns where you can dress up and search for Wally and friends, and create your own story adventure. Plus every day you can explore the Story Trail, Garden and Once There Was… the Wonderful World of Oliver Jeffers exhibition and hear tales from the Story Builders, along with special visits from Emily Hughes and poet Joe Coelho (CBeebies Rhyme Rocket). 10am-5pm (Mon-Fri); 11am-5pm (Sat-Sun); adult/child £5, family of 4 £18, under 2s FREE (Apr 3-17)

We also like
The Cutty Sark Sleepover is SOLD OUT but there are plenty of fun family activities over Easter on board the historic clipper; loads of hands-on activities for Easter at Science Museum; always lots of brilliant and FREE family crafting at Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands; for those back to school later, a host of Family Workshops at Royal Academy

 

 

NATURE & OUTDOORS

Sensational Butterflies and Coral Reef at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
It’s springtime which means the butterflies are back for another sensational season at Natural History Museum’s massively popular walk-through exhibition. 10am-5.50pm, adult/child £5.90, family £19.80 (Apr 2-Sep 13). This year you can also let your imagination dive deep under the oceans to discover the fascinating life of coral reefs. 10am-5.50pm, adult £10/child £4.50/family £24 (Mar 27-Sep 13)

Shaun the Sheep at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens tube/overground, Kew Bridge rail).
Head to the splendid botanical gardens at Kew for some springtime fun in the company of Shaun the Sheep and friends. Meet real live sheep, join in welly wanging and more group games in Madcap Meadows, go on Timmy’s Springtime Trail, try your hands at chocolate workshops, and go on an egg hunt to win your own Divine chocolate egg. All ages. Open daily from 9.30am, activities vary by dates/times (see web site); adult £15/child under 17 FREE, additional charges for chocolate workshop and face painting (Mar 28-Apr 12)

GIANT Easter Duck Trail at London Wetland Centre at Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube)
Quack quack! Calling all ducklings to go on a giant treasure hunt at this popular nature reserve, where you can follow the yellow duck trail and win a Cadbury’s Freddo Frog for your efforts. There’s also duck painting and decorating, Easter card making, egg and spoon races, egg rolling and of course pond dipping activities. All ages. 9.30am-5pm; trails cost £1 per person, small charges apply for duck painting; normal entry prices adult £12.75/child £7/family £35.55 (Mar 28-Apr 12)

Lemurs at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Over Easter holidays, celebrate the brand new In With the Lemurs walk-through exhibition at London Zoo with some Madagascar inspired fun. Leap like a lemur, play the Aye-Aye game and join in the Great Lemur Dash. There are also regular talks and shows to experience such as Penguins Live, Hungry Otters and Giraffe High Tea. All ages. 10am-5pm; adult £22.50-£24.30/child £16.65-£17.10/under 3s FREE (Mar 28-Apr 13)

Sea Dragons at London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Discover some of the most weird and wonderful creatures of the ocean as the new Sea Dragon Kingdom opens in time for the holidays. Look out for Yellow Seahorses, Alligator Pipefish and Weedy Sea Dragons among other exotic specimen of marine life. All ages. 10am-7pm daily (last entry 6pm). Tickets from adult £19.98 online, £23.50 door/child £14.41 online, £16.50 door/under 3s FREE (from Mar 29-ongoing)

We also like
See strange creatures and an imaginary menagerie of animal specimens at Grant Museum in UCL (Mar 28 and ongoing); go wild with plant life at Plantastic at Horniman Museum (ongoing); egg hunts and Easter bonnet parade for the Easter Fun Day at Freightliners Farm (Apr 6); experience animal magic and flower power at Discovery Days at Isis Education Centre in Hyde Park (Apr 8-9 & Apr 15-16);