London Kids Weekend Scoop (Jan 21-24, 2016)

 

 
Apparently a warmer stretch is just around the corner, so make the most of what’s already the penultimate weekend of January (how did that happen?). The London Kids Weekend Scoop features Wassailing in King’s Cross, West African drumming at the British Library and FREE guided walks across London in spots all over town. Enjoy!

 

 
Fri: Camley St Wassail Party, 110-112 Camley Street, N1C 4PF (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
The annual awakening of 200 apple trees in the orchards near King’s Cross is a fantastic community event, attracting hundreds of revellers for free food, music, bonfire, crafts for kids, and a lively atmosphere. There’s an Apple Pie bake-off, cakes with hidden beans and peas (whoever finds them becomes King Bean and Queen Pea), and dancing to a live band. 5pm-9pm, FREE but a donation to The Urban Orchard Project is suggested (Jan 22)

 

 
Fri-Sun: London Art Fair at Business Design Centre, Upper St, N1 0QH (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
Come to our hood for the UK’s leading contemporary British art showcase, where you can check out established and up and coming creatives, take home a masterpiece, and engage with likeminded folk. For kids there are ‘game-jams’ (drop in sessions) to contribute artwork for a computer game, as well as artist-led workshops inspired by Julian Charriere’s exhibition at Parasol Unit. All ages. 11am-7pm (Fri), 10am-7pm (Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun); adult £20-£40/concs £12/child under 12 FREE (Jan 20-24)

Fri-Sun: Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Marking 20 years of glorious performances at Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil return to this stunning venue with a never before seen performance, Amaluna. Written and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, it’s a celebration of love and femininity with women making up the majority of the cast. Recommended for ages 3+, younger ones will be admitted but use parental discretion as the show is long and can be pretty intense. Doors from 2.15pm, shows at 3pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm & 8pm; adult from £44.32 to £113.68/child ages 3+ £34.12 to £103.48/under 3s FREE on parent/carer lap (Jan 16-Mar 6)

Fri-Sun: Tintin: Herge’s Masterpiece at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Tintin was one of those heroes who captured my fantasies when I was little (I even had an imaginary dog called Snowy!). So I’m excited to take the boys to this brand new exhibition. Enter the colourful, eccentric world of artist-author Hergé and Tintin, his daring young reporter, in a retrospective showing the evolution the artwork from early newspaper strips to the globally renowned graphic novels. All ages. 10am-6pm daily (late closing 9p on Thu & Fri); FREE (until Jan 31)

Fri-Sun: Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
From the accident-prone team that brought you The Play that Goes Wrong comes this madcap remake of the Peter Pan fable brought to stage. See the cast of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society struggle through flying mishaps, casting disputes and other hitches, and wonder if they’ll ever make it to Neverland! For ages 8+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm & 7pm (Sun) (times vary, check website for confirmation); £20-£69.50 (until Jan 31)

 

 
Sat: Drumming and Dancing Workshop for Families at British Library (Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre), 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (Kings Cross St Pancras/Euston tube or rail)
The West Africa: Word, Symbol Song exhibition at British Library is hot on my still-to-do list from 2015, and here’s a great excuse to get down there. This Drumming and Dancing workshop for families is inspired by the exhibition, and encourages participants to make sound, rhythm and music with their instruments, voices and bodies. Arrive early or stick around afterwards to explore the exhibition too. Recommended for ages 5+. 1pm-3pm, just turn up (spaces limited to 40), FREE (Jan 23)

Sat: Tanglefields Circus Hetty Feather at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Visit this lovely museum in Bloomsbury and explore the brand new exhibition Drawing on Childhood (opens Fri). Then take part in a hands-on family workshop inspired by Nick Sharratt’s illustrations for Hetty Feather, as featured in the exhibition. You can also let the little ones burn off some energy at Coram’s Fields playground just around the corner. Workshop for ages 5+, museum suitable for all ages. 10:30am-12pm; 1pm-2:30pm & 3pm-4:30pm; workshop free (for kids and up to 2 accompanying adults), just pay regular museum admission adult £8.25/concs £5.50/child under 16 FREE (Jan 23)

Sat: Chotto Desh at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15
It means “small homeland” and it’s a child-friendly adaptation of Akram Khan’s 2011 spectacular Desh that wowed critics and audiences alike. This compelling blend of dance, music, text and visuals traces a young man’s journey from Britain to Bangladesh through dreams and memories. For ages 7+. 3pm. £8-£10 (Jan 23)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Walk London: Winter Wanders Weekend, various locations around London
Bundle up and get your walking boots on for Winter Wanders, a programme of free guided walks across the capital offered by Transport for London funded Walk London this weekend. Choose from more than 40 guided walks, including family focused strolls such as Goodnight Mr Tom, a walk inspired by the popular children’s book, exploring the London of the Blitz. Get fresh air, burn some calories and discover more about the city we love! From 10am, FREE (Jan 23-24)

Sun: Buster Keaton: Go West + The Paleface with Live Accompaniment by John Sweeney at Barbican Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
There’s something so old-school (in its most nostalgic sense) about curling up with the kiddies and watching a silent movie. At this Barbican Cinema special you can catch one of the greats, Buster Keaton in a double bill accompanied by live piano by John Sweeney. Films rated U, all ages welcome (event more suitable for older kids). 4pm, £11.50 (Jan 24)

We also like
Head to St. Martin-in-the-Fields for a whirlwind tour of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in John Landor’s Mini Maestro Family Concert (Sat); Wow Said the Owl is charmingly told with puppetry and songs for ages 2-5 at Little Angel Theatre (Sat, only a few tickets left!); show don’t tell at London International Mime Festival, various locations (until Feb 6); marvel at Lauren Child’s Dolls House at House of Illustration (until Feb 7); get on your bike for Cycle Revolution exhibition for cycling enthusiasts at Design Museum (until Jun 30)

Booking Ahead

Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House (Feb 3-Mar 6)
Mini Vault Festival featuring Big Fish Little Fish Out of this World Rave (Feb 6)
Cirque Beserk at Peacock Theatre (Feb 8-24)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 10-21)
Chinese New Year (Feb 14)
February Half Term (guide out in February) (Feb 15-21)
Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound (Feb 19)
The Baby Show at ExCel London (Feb 19-21)
Little Folk with Albo folk concerts for kids and families at The Colour House Theatre, Merton SW19 (Feb 27 & Apr 23)
The First National Trust Children’s Book Festival (Mar 4-6)

Upcoming Family Festivals

Deer Shed Festival (Jul 22-24)
Camp Bestival (Jul 28-31)
Just So Festival (Aug 19-21)
On Blackheath (Sep 10-11)

Family Festivals Guide out in Spring. Also Don’t Miss our Guide to 16 Things to Look Forward to in 2016!