London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 3-6, 2015)

 

 
The kids are safely tucked up back in their school term, and it’s already the first weekend in what’s set to be a glorious September.

Do check out 15 Things to make your heart SING this Autumn for some fabulous ideas over the coming months. In the meantime, take a look at all the family friendly activities in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Have fun!

Thu-Sat: Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
LAST CHANCE: This was one of my all-time favourite films as a child and its big stage adaptation does the original absolutely proud. 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. I defy you to leave without a huge grin on your face! For ages 6+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £15-£40 (until Sep 5)

Thu-Sun: Breaking the Ice at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Discover the tale of the polar bear who made friends with a husky and embark on your own journey into their snowy environment, filled with music, shadows and projection. An immersive adventure created for very young kids by Norwegian vocalist/composer Torgeir Vassvik. For ages 2-5. 10.30am & 1.15pm (Tue-Fri), 10am, 11.15am & 1.45pm (Sat-Sun); under 18s £15, additional adult £5 (Sep 2-Oct 4)

 
, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross Rd tube)
 
Fri-Sun: Now Play This at Somerset House
Come to Somerset House for a weekend devoted to the art (or science?) of play, with everything from the traditional e.g. snakes and ladders and paper games, to the latest digital creations. Test out games in development, drop in to try out new games (Sat, 10am-4pm) or watch a games showcase. All ages (NB: some games may not be suitable for kids). 10am-8pm (Fri-Sat); 10am-6pm (Sun); adult Unlimited Entry pass £12.00, day ticket £5.00/child under 12 FREE (ticket required)

Sat-Sun: Totally Thames: Family Fun this Weekend, multiple venues
Dip into a whole month of the festival featuring arts and culture across multiple venues and spaces. This weekend’s highlights include Tattoo T-shirts workshops at HMS Belfast, Sailor Games at Cutty Sark in Greenwich, and the Riverside Festival (see separate listing). All ages. Dates, times, prices vary, many events FREE (Sep 1-30)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Grillstock, Chestnuts Field, Walthamstow, E17 6HE (Walthamstow tube)
Subtitled ‘Meat, Music, Mayhem’, Grillstock takes the love of BBQ to the next level with a full on East London festival blending smoky grills with serious tunes from the likes of Fun Loving Criminals, Grandmaster Flash, The Cuban Brothers, DJ Yoda and Razorlight. There are grilling (and eating) competitions, a dedicated kids area, and tickets include music and dining. All ages. 11am-10.30pm (Sat), 11am-7pm (Sun); adult £30 (Sat/Sun entry), £45 (weekend entry), £80 (pit crew)/child under 12 FREE with adult (Sep 5-6)

Sat-Sun: The Riverside Festival at Potters Fields Park, Tooley Street, SE1 2AA (London Bridge tube)
Head to Potters Field for a weekend of family fun activities, part of the massive Totally Thames programme. Catch women scientists bringing the lab to the streets in Soapbox Science, try clay modelling or headdress creations, meet the animals of Vauxhall City Farm and listen to thunderous drumming from Rhythms of the City. On Sunday, you can celebrate Colombia Day with music, traditional street food and welcoming the world’s biggest Tall Ship, ARC Gloria! 12-7pm daily, FREE (Sep 5-6)

Sun: Angel Canal Festival, adjoining City Road Lock, Islington N1 8JX (Angel tube)
It’s another outing for this big fiesta along the Regent’s Canal, featuring 80+ stalls and gazebos and celebrating the people who live and work along the waterways. This is a lovely day out for all the family, with funfair rides, street entertainment, traditional Punch & Judy shows, kids workshops, boat trips, have-a-go at canoeing sessions and much more. All ages. 11am-5pm, FREE (Sep 6)

Sun: Souq for Syria at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
If the heartbreaking stories and images pouring out of the Syrian refugee crisis aren’t enough to move you (I can’t bear to look at some of the photos doing the rounds), then maybe an afternoon at Rich Mix will inspire you to get involved. Head to Shoreditch for this pop-up souq with artisan stalls, arts and crafts/workshops for kids, food, live music and more all to help some of the very real people behind the headlines. All ages. 11am-4pm, FREE (Sep 6)

 

 
Sun: Little Angel Theatre Summer Party, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 4DN (Angel tube)
You might debate whether we’re still in summer or not (official season ends Sep 22 but… brrrr it’s nippy out there), however it’s always a good time for a party. The hugely popular Little Angel Theatre Summer Party brings puppet parades, cake stalls, kids puppet workshops, behind the scenes tours, meet and greets, all themed around latest production The Journey Home. Pack a picnic for the lovely garden and fingers crossed for some sunshine! All ages, FREE (Sep 6)

Sun: Chrisp Street Festival, Chrisp Street Market, Poplar, E14 6AQ (Poplar/All Saint’s DLR)
It’s a circus theme for this year’s Chrisp Street Festival, transforming the East End street with a big top vibe. Come for live aerial circus show from Aircraft Circus, jugglers, balloon modellers, trapeze artists and hula hoop troupe, and other performances. There are circus skills workshops throughout the day and a pie and mash eating contest to round things off. Also visit the fairground area on East India Dock Rd, along with food and craft stalls. All ages. 12-7pm, FREE (Sep 7)

We also like
Still time to check out Buckingham Palace Summer Opening (Thu-Sun); catch
Oscar nominated kids animation The Secret of Kells, 11am at Rio Cinema kids club in Dalston (Sat); stay east for the Chatsworth Rd festival with street food and stalls (Sat); party all day long at the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park (Sun); and it’s your LAST CHANCE to see Once There Was… the Wonderful World of Oliver Jeffers at Discover Story Centre (ends Sun)

BOOKING AHEAD

Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre (Sep 10-13)
Green Man presents Courtyard Festival at King’s Cross (Sep 10-13, NB: family friendly but not aimed at kids)
Spiegeltent at Canary Wharf (Sep 10-20)
Kings Place Festival (Sep 11-13)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club: Inside Out (Sep 12)
On Blackheath Festival (Sep 12-13)
London Night Owls Sleepover at Museum of London (ages 7-11) (Sep 19)
Royal Opera House Welcome Performance for Families (Sep 19)
Mrs H & the Singalong Band at Lauderdale House (Sep 19-20)
Open House London (Sep 19-20)
Big Fish Little Fish in Canary Wharf (Sep 12), New Cross (Sep 20) and Islington (Sep 27)