We’re off and away today on a trip to Nigeria where I’ll be burying my mum at the end of the month. It’s bound to be an intense few weeks, and I’ll be posting on a much lighter schedule on the blog.
However do stay tuned as I have lots of great summer content planned, including our annual coolest things to do in Summer Holidays guide.
In the meanwhile check out all the great family friendly activities in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. See you again in August!
Thu-Sun: Technopop Brixton, 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ (Brixton tube)
The pop-up festival of science and technology for kids promises to wow your little ones with a jampacked programme of activities, events, workshops and demos for all ages. From 10am daily, FREE (Jul 7-10)
Thu-Sun: Inmoov Robot at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
This super cool sounding robot created at Somerset House as an avatar for kids at Great Ormond Street to explore the zoo and its creatures, is now open to adults and kids alike to discover. It’s human-sized, 3D printed and fun for all ages. If it’s hot, have a splash in the Somerset House fountains in the courtyard. 10am-6pm, FREE (until Jul 19)
Fri-Sun: Traces: The 7 Fingers at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
LAST WEEKEND to catch Traces: The 7 Fingers circus production now turning heads at Peacock Theatre. A blend of film clips, narration, street theatre, comedy and of course dazzling circus stunts creates a high-voltage show that’s guaranteed to light up the stage. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); £15-£38/concs and child tickets half price (Jun 9-Jul 12)
Fri-Sun: Shrek’s Adventure London, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
A unique walk and ride experience based on the ogre-the-top animated comedy series (and hit musical). Shrek’s Adventure London invites visitors on a tour of 10 live shows and set pieces from the Shrek experience, all the way from smelly swamp to magic mirror. You’ll meet members of the cast on the way, and enjoy laugh-out-loud entertainment in this interactive adventure for all ages. Daily 10am-5pm (from 11am Thu) and 10am-6pm (Sats); adult from £23.40/child from £18.72 (from Jul 1)
Thu-Sun: Sunset Safari at London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Baker St tube)
Experience the residents of London Zoo during their nighttime feeds and bedtime rituals in Sunset Safari (only Gorilla Kingdom is closed to allow new baby gorilla Alika a good night’s sleep). Go on self-guided safari trails, hear acoustic music in the Safari Base Camp, hear talks and watch performances in the Zoo’s Theatre of Life, and tuck into yummy treats at the World Food Market. Lovely way to spend an evening with the family or for a special Date with Dad. 6pm-10pm; advance tickets £14.56-£20.80, full price tickets £22.40-£32. (until Jul 17)
Fri-Sun: Ladybird by Design at House of Illustration, Granary Square, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
They might be the first books you or your parents ever read and House of Illustration marks their 1000th anniversary with an exhibition that’s sure to take you back in time. Check out original illustrations from more than 100 books. 10am-6pm, adult £7/child £4 (Jul 10-Sep 27)
Sat-Sun::Strawberries and Screen: Watch Wimbledon Finals at King’s Cross, Granary Square, NC1 (King’s Cross tube)
We loved watching the Men’s Wimbledon Final match in Granary Square last year and this promises to be the spot to catch all the action from centre court. The big screens are back, with deck chairs (first 50 visitors), strawberries and cream, jugs of Pimms and rotating street food traders. All ages. Daily, FREE (until Jul 12)
More places to watch the tennis in London: Wimbledon at One New Change in EC4 (St. Paul’s tube, Jun 29-Jul 12); It’s Tennis Time at Regent’s Place, W1 (Jun 29-Jul 12); Great British Summer Wimbledon on the Rooftop at Cardinal Place in Victoria (Jun 29-Jul 12); Wimbledon at More London’s The Scoop Live Sport Summer series (Jun 29-Jul 12);
Great British Summer in New Square New Street Square in Chancery Lane (Jun 29-Jul 12); and Wimbledon Screenings at Duke of York Square (Jul 10-12);
Wimbledon Live at Westfield Stratford (screenings at Chestnut Plaza on The Street) (until Jul 6)
Sat-Sun: Beach East at the Park at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E20 (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
It’s here! The largest beach this side of the coast arrives at the Olympic Park this weekend, for a whole summer of building castles, lounging on deck chairs, funfair rides, paddling pools and getting sand in annoying places. All ages. Daily 10am-10pm, FREE (Jul 11-Aug 31)
Sat-Mon: The King of Tiny Things (top pic) at Udderbelly, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
A mysterious winged creature leads two sisters into a world of enchantments, mischief and mayhem. Watch four dazzling circus artists create a performance filled with music, spectacle and puppetry for ages 3+. 12pm (Sat-Sun), 4.15pm (Mon); £10/child half-price (Jul 11-13)
Sun: Bastille Festival in Borough, Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL (London Bridge tube)
Allez y to Borough Market for the annual celebration of French culture, food, film and family fun at the Bastille Festival. Play petanque, watch live music, and feast on beignets and bonbons. All day, FREE (Jul 12)
Wishing you all the best on this trip to Nigeria, although the reason is very sad I hope you can find times of great joy whilst you are there. Mich x
A fab round-up. We went to the Sunset safari on Friday, and it was an amazing event, will definitely do again next year. maybe you could join us with the boys and hubby? Hope you all are having some quality time in Nigeria xxx
Ooh the Sunset Safari did sound great, I love London Zoo at dusk. Yes let’s make a double date plan soon x
Thanks so much Michelle, means a lot, it was very sad but there were lots of beautiful moments too x