May is just around the corner and we’re loving this summerish weather over the past week. So much is happening over the coming months, I’m getting butterflies in my stomach (just look at our Booking Ahead section further down)!
First, check out all the great family activities in our London Kids Weekend Scoop and please sign the petition to save Rich Mix (scroll down to see too)!
Have a wonderful time whatever you do x
Special Event (Coming Soon)
West London Tots presents The Magic Sleep Fairy at The Alice House, 53-55 Salusbury Rd, Queen’s Park, NW6 6NJ (Queen’s Park tube/overground)
Are you a parent struggling with getting their little one to sleep? Don’t miss out on a fantastic session with West London Tots, led by Alison Scott-Wright aka The Magic Sleep Fairy. She will help you discover what might be keeping your child up at night and suggest soothing techniques to help everyone in the family get some much-needed rest. She’s also an expert on reflux and will be talking about this in each session, followed by a Q&A at the end. Alison also does house visits and comes highly recommended by local mums. 10am (newborn-6 months), 11.45am (babies 6-18 months), 13.30am (toddlers and kids ages 18 months+); £20 per adult/kids FREE; early booking strongly advised, 10% of ticket sales go to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Apr 28)
What’s Hot this Weekend
Fri-Sat: Roald Dahl’s The Twits, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS (Sloane Square tube)
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 Roald Dahl’s tale. 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)
Fri-Sun: 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)
Look out for our review of this brilliant show coming up next week! 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 (until Aug 2015)
Fri-Sun: Moscow State Circus Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT (Shepherd’s Bush tube/overground)
Daredevil acts and ‘don’t try this at home’ behaviour are the order of the day for this swinging circus that’s sure to backflip, roller skate, juggle and soar their way into your family’s heart, Last weekend to catch them in London before they somersault out of town. All ages. 3pm & 8pm (Fri), 3pm & 6pm (Sat), 2pm & 5pm (Sun); adult £10-£39/child & concs. £7-£36/under 2s FREE (until Apr 19)
Fri-Sun: Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith, 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 (until Aug 1)
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)
Sat: Penguin Waddle at London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Baker St tube)
Register your teeny waddlers for this second fundraiser at the zoo, in aid of their ongoing conservation work for penguins. Start from the Fast Track entrance and make your penguin moves all the way to Penguin Beach for a short talk and some fun with the zoo’s penguins. Prizes for best dressed penguin and highest fundraiser, and a gift for all kids who take part in the waddle. All ages. Gates open 8.30am, waddle from 9.15am-9.40am approx; event registration £7 for all ages (advanced booking recommended)/minimum sponsorship £20 + regular zoo entry adult £22.50/child £23.65/under 3s FREE (Apr 18)
Sat-Sun: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Vaults, Launcelot Street, off Leake St, Waterloo,SE1 7AD (Waterloo tube/rail)
Go deep down into the rabbit hole of Waterloo’s secret Vaults tunnels in the one-of-a-kind adventure with Les Enfants Terribles featuring puppetry, projections and circus, storytelling and fantasy to create a Wonderland in honour of Alice’s 150th birthday. Be careful not to lose your head! For ages 5+. Shows from 11am on Sat Apr 11, shows last 1 hour, times vary (Tue-Sun); adult £18.50/child £12.50 (Apr 11-Aug 30)
Sun: Shakespeare’s Birthday at The Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Go Shakey, it’s your birthday! Celebrate the Bard’s birthday bash at The Globe with a free day of family fun themed around the Globe to Globe Hamlet tour. Hop on the Elsinore bouncy castle, discover the grave diggers’ ball pit, play at the skull coconut shy, and watch special performances on the Globe stage. There’s also face painting, cake decorating, iconic Hamlet film screenings (including Disney’s reimagining, The Lion King) and live stage fighting demos. All ages. 11am-5pm, FREE (Apr 19)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish: Madhatter’s Tea Party Rave, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
It’s a special Alice in Wonderland themed groove to celebrate the classic book’s 150th birthday. Get your mad hats on (or make them at the craft tables) for some afternoon fun with DJs The Readers Wifes (Duckie). There’s a Goo Goo Gourmet free baby food tasting ‘tea party’, reading corner, film screening, playroom, baby room, cake stall and 20% off Sunday Lunch at The Bedford. Plus all the usual extras including facepainting, glowsticks, free Happy Monkey smoothies, Bear Nibbles, transfer tattoos and of course the parachute dance to wind things up. Ages 0-8 and carers. 2-4.30pm, adult £8 adv, £10 door (cash only)/child £4.50 adv, £5 door/prewalkers FREE (Apr 19)
Sun: Giants Are Small and the New York Philharmonic Young Person’s Concert/Petrushka (above and top pic) at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Come along for a fabulous day with the little ones in the company of some musical giants. Using live puppetry, film and the full NY Philharmonic orchestra, this one-of-a-kind family concert takes viewers into the heart of Russia in Springtime at the Shrovetide fair. Kick off the day with interactive workshops in singing, puppet-making and percussion (1-4pm, FREE) and try the digital orchestra installation Musicjelly (1-5pm, FREE). At 7.30pm, Petrushka is performed alongside two of the 20th-century’s most lavish ballet scores, by Debussy and Bartók. All ages. From 1pm (workshops) and 4pm (shows); adult £20/child under 16 £10 (booking fees apply)/workshops FREE (Apr 19)
Sun: Rainmaking Kids: The Great Idea Workshop, Rainmaking Loft, 1 St Katharine’s Way, St Katharine’s & Wapping, E1W 1UN (Tower Hill tube)
Teach your young ‘uns about the power and joys of entrepreneurship, to help them become future job creators rather than job seekers. Rainmaking Kids’ workshops foster skills like brainstorming, collaboration, goal-setting and how to design your own lifestyle. For ages 8-12. 11am-2.50pm; £99 (tickets include healthy lunch, snacks, drinks and signed copy of “The Great Idea” by Martin Bjergegaard) (Apr 19)
We also like
Family fun and yummy street food at Chrisp Street Market Spring Festival (Sat); street market, live bands, DJs and more around Berwick St in Soho (and other locations nationwide) for Record Store Day (Sat); celebrate springtime with poems and Easter Egg hunt at Keats House Family Day (Sun); the ever wonderful Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, an African themed pop-up festival/monthly club with music, stalls, activities and film for all ages (Sun)
URGENT: Rich Mix is threatened with closure and needs your support. This is such a vibrant, dynamic, multicultural arts space for families offering tons of free and affordable activities and events throughout the year. We need it to stay open! Please, please sign the petition here: Rich Mix Petition
Booking Ahead
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)
Oh wow, I’ve not been to a circus for years but know the boys would love it. So many fab picks as always x
Another great round-up. I’m especially liking the sound of Alice in Wonderland at the Vaults. Might have to try and get there. I’d also love to see The Twits but A may be a bit young. Maybe I should go by myself ;)
Ha I don’t blame you Nomita, some of these shows I’d love to attend with or without the boys! x
Oh yes Vicki, I’ve seen a variety of circus acts with the boys and it’s always dazzling. Go for it! x