Some fantastic ideas for the next few days in our London Kids Weekend Scoop today. We’re particularly excited about:
London Children’s Ballet – Disney’s Magical Ice Festival – Band Day at Foundling Museum – Dogs Don’t Do Ballet with London Symphony Orchestra – Retro Dance party at Southbank Centre – and a brand new kid lit festival in Barnes.
See you around!
Fri-Sun: London Children’s Ballet: Snow White at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Soaring scores, gorgeous costumes and talented young dancers come together for another unmissable production from the London Children’s Ballet. The fairytale of Snow White, the evil Queen and the Seven Dwarves is performed to a live orchestra in two 40 minute acts – lovely way to introduce young ones to the ballet. For ages 3+ (no under 3s admitted). 6.30pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 12.30pm; £14-£55 (until Apr 26
Fri-Sun: Disney’s Magical Ice Festival, Arena Square, Engineer’s Way, Wembley, HA9 0AA (Wembley Park tube)
Be whisked away to a fantasy kingdom with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and others from Frozen, along with characters from Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled and more Disney favourites gliding and leaping on the ice. Magical moments and dazzling skills on display for all ages. 3pm & 7pm (Fri), 11am, 3pm & 7pm (Sat-Sun); £22.25-£51.75 (until Apr 26)
Fri-Sun: Up&Go Bounce Off, Bernie Spain Gardens, Upper Ground, SE1 9NH (Southwark tube)
Climb aboard Up&Go’s massive inflatable replica of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for an assault course to be reckoned with. Activate the giant button and dive on, leap over hurdles, fight your way through the cheese grater (tunnels) and beat the punch bags. Then you must head up the ramp to the trampoline bridge for a final leap into the ‘croc-infested’ ball pit (while attempting to catch a carton of Up&Go breakfast drink). There’s a leaderboard for contenders but it’s all good bouncy fun, and there’s beanbags to chill out on in the inflatable Sydney Opera House next to the bridge. NB: You have to be 14+ and 130cm (4’3”) to complete the entire course, but smaller ones are welcome on the lower level assault course. 8am-8pm, FREE (until Apr 26)
Sat: Barnes Children’s Literary Festival, multiple locations, SW13 (Hammersmith tube, bus 209 to Barnes Pond)
The first ever Barnes Literary Festival, launched with its own inaugural poem by Roger McGough, brings a host of kids authors and illustrators to give workshops, talks and signings in and around Barnes pond. Catch the UK premiere of children’s play A Bit Lost, along with Holly & Kelly Willoughby, Abie Longstaff, Jim Smith and Roger McGough plus many more. Discover mind boggling demos and details of the phenomena behind the fiction from Professor of the Dark Arts, Mark Brake, and CBBC’s Jon Chase. And there’s an upcoming programme of children’s book related film at Olympic Studios presented by dad, author and film reviewer Danny Leigh. Age range 3+ to 11+. From 10am-6pm (event times vary), £5 per event. See full list of venues (Apr 25)
Sat: Retro Dancefloor Megamix at Southbank Centre, Clore Ballroom, Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Get your retro threads and dancing shoes on for a fun, family friendly afternoon of moving and grooving to the sounds of the ‘80s and ‘90s. From the Moonwalk and the Electric Slide, to the Running Man, Vogue and the Worm, feel free to show out and get loose! All ages. 3-6pm, FREE (Apr 25)
Sat: Band Day and Instrument Parade at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Bang your drum and blow your trumpets for Band Day at the Foundling Museum, celebrating the history of The Foundling Hospital Boys’ Band. There’s live music, talks and workshops including the Instrument Parade where you can join artist and instrument maker Giles Leaman to make musical instruments inspired by the Foundlings at War: Military Bands display. And if the weather’s warm, Coram’s Fields is just around the corner for an afternoon play. 11am-4pm; adult £8.25/child FREE (Apr 25)
Sat: St George’s Day Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Celebrate St George’s Day with an afternoon of arts, crafts, folk music and dance in the company of Cecil Sharp House, Becontree Brass, Instrumental folk group and Trad Academy. You can reinterpret St George’s Flag in make and take sessions, pose for a portrait in the Explorers Photo Studio, hear traditional choirs singing, and take part in a stompin’ ceilidh dance! 11.30am-4.30pm, FREE (Apr 25)
Sat: School of Noise at Chats Palace, 42-44 Brooksby’s Walk, E9 6DF (Homerton overground)
Love the ‘sound’ of these workshops for juniors, experimenting with electronic music and sound design. You don’t need any musical training to join in, just a good ear and a fun attitude. For ages 7-13. Booking ahead advised — don’t worry if you miss out this week more workshops are already scheduled through April & May. 11am-1pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm; £10 per workshop (Apr 18-May 23)
Sun: LSO Discovery Family Concert: Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican Tube)
The hugely popular book turned stage adaptation is brought to life thrillingly by the LSO orchestra for a family audience. It’s presented by composer and animateur Rachel Leach and kids are invited to bring their own instruments to play along or sing in the audience participation piece. There are pre-concert workshops and free foyer activities earlier in the day, and the concert is aimed at ages 7-12 but Barbican offers a FREE creche for under 7s during the hour-long show. 10.30am-1pm workshops, 1.10pm-2pm free foyer fun, 2pm creche opens (for ticket holders only), 2.30pm concert; adult £10/child £5. NB: Online booking fees £3, phone £4, no fee in person (Apr 26)
Sun: Serpentine Family Day, Serpentine Galleries, Sackler Centre for Education, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
Join artist Jenny Moore to help construct a temporary sculpture in Kensington Gardens, inspired by Cameroon-born, Belgium-based Pascale Marthine Tayou’s exhibition BOOMERANG. Discover new ways to interact with familiar and strange objects, exploring play, movement and the stuff of everyday life. 12pm-5pm, drop-in, FREE (Apr 26)
Local Pick (Islington)
Sun: Cycle Safari with Islington Cyclists, from Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Road, N7 8PF (Highbury & Islington tube)
Get on your bikes for a fun and free family ride to explore the local area. The cycling starts from Freightliners Farm with a gentle route around Islington, returning by noon. The day out includes music from Pedal Folk, maintenance sessions with Dr Bike, delicious vegetarian food from the café and info about cycling locally. Bike ride for ages 8+, activities for all ages. 10am-12pm, FREE (Apr 26)
We also like
Enjoy the Feast of St George Trafalgar Square (Sat): saddle up for a Right Royal Ride from Holland Park with Bikeminded (Sat); see Duncan the Dragon and Richard Pinner’s magic show at Lauderdale House (Sat); head to Acton for London Transport Museum’s Depot Open Weekend (Sat-Sun); catch A Real Fairy Story at Arts Depot (Sun); meet and greet with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leo & Raph at Brent Cross (Sun); tackle a kid-friendly obstacle course from Muddy Puddles & Ultim8 Warrior in St. Albans (Sun)
Booking Ahead
Gandini Juggling at Arts Depot (Apr 30)
StreetFest at Tobacco Docks (May 3)
Big Fish Little Fish ‘Goes Wild’ with Camp Bestival (May 10, May 17 & June 14)
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (May 15-Sep 12)
Bend it Like Beckham The Musical (May 15-Oct 2015)
Fun DMC Day-Time Hip Hop Party for Kids & Parents (May 24)
Sunset Safari at London Zoo (Jun 5-Jul 17)