We’re back with the first London Kids Weekend Scoop of 2016! Tons of things to do in London with kids, including loads of family theatre and child friendly museum action spilling over from last year. Don’t forget to check out our guide to 16 Things to look forward to in 2016 (scroll to the bottom for link). And wrap up warm, it’s getting a bit chillier out there x
Thu-Sun: Nutcracker at London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Charing Cross tube)
LAST CHANCE: The story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll is brought thrillingly to life, as 100+ dancers and musicians transform Tchaikovsky’s glorious score into an iconic ballet performance. For ages 5+, special family-friendly shows for under 5s on Jan 4 (2.30pm) and Jan 10 (2.30pm); adult from £69/child from £34.50 (Dec 16-Jan 10)
Thu-Sun: Skate at Somerset House at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
LAST CHANCE: It’s officially the ‘hottest’ ice rink in London and it’s still open through the weekend with plenty of space to glide, stunning backdrop and top DJs on rotation. Newbies can join the Skate School for beginners and there’s also a Polar Cub Club for under 8s. Hour-long sessions between 10am-11.30pm; tickets from £7.50 (until Jan 10)
Thu-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)
Thu-Sun: Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
The magic of Harry Potter comes alive every Christmas as the Hogwarts castle model is draped in snow. See the Great Hall kitted out for the season, the Weasleys’ festive jumpers on display, and Harry’s top gifts like the Invisibility Cloak! 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £33/child from £25.50/family from £101/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Jan 31)
Thu-Sun:Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
Dr Seuss’s classic tale comes to the stage in an inventive new show, bursting with zany humour, original songs and puppetry. Follow the tale of giant moustached creature The Lorax, whose mission is to protect the earth from The Once-ler, a greedy tree-chopping businessman. A powerful message in a show created by David Greig and director Max Webster (James and the Giant Peach, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night). For ages 6+. Kids ages 3 and under only admitted at special Relaxed Performances for younger ones (check web site for details). Show times 3pm & 7pm: £12-£60/child under 18 months FREE, but please let Box Office know if you intend to bring a baby (until Jan 16)
Thu-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)
Thu-Sun:BUMP Rollerdisco at Southbank Centre, under Hungerford Bridge, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
When it’s just too cold for the ice rinks, head inside for this pop-up rollerdisco where skates are available from child size 9 to adult size Expect flashy lights, disco balls, pumping tunes and lots of spandex. 11am-11pm daily (closed from 6pm Thu Dec 24 and all day Dec 25 & Dec 31); adult £10/child £7/Fri & Sat club nights £12-£16 (until Jan 17)
Thu-Sun: Michael Rosen’s Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake & Bad Things, Discover, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
We’re very excited about the opening of Michael Rosen’s exhibition at Discover, an interactive experience taking inspiration from the popular author/poet’s picture books. Step inside a giant chocolate cake (yum), splash splosh your way through a Bear Hunt, or dare to discover the Bad Things in the Dread Shed. You’ll find hidden rooms, clues and tips on what helped Michael come up with his writing, plus there’s a chance to make poems of your own too. For ages 0-11 and families. 10am-5pm (Tue-Fri), 11am-5pm (Sat-Sun); adult £5/child £5/family of 4 £18/under 2s FREE (Oct 16-Apr 10)
Thu-Sun: Wonder.land at National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Damon Albarn’s score and bring the mind-bending story of a girl named Aly, lost in a virtual Wonderland, thrillingly to the stage in an inventive adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic blending pop wizardry, digital technology and a cast of unforgettable characters. For ages 10+. 2pm & 7.30pm; £15-£55 (Dec 16-Apr 30)
Thu-Sun: Beauty and the Beast at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
When Belle’s father is threatened by a Beast, the bookish heroine comes to his rescue and winds up a prisoner in the Beast’s castle. But the story takes a new turn as Belle discovers there might be beauty, and perhaps true love, lurking underneath his fearsome form. Enchanting production or ages 6-12 and families. Special baby-friendly All Ages welcome shows available (check web site). Shows from 10.15am (times vary), £18 (until Feb 7)
Sat-Sun: HMS Belfast: Cracking Codes, HMS Belfast, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JH (London Bridge tube)
Climb onto the historic ship and learn the art super sleuthing in this special family workshop. You’ll discover how to intercept communications, write and decipher secret messages, and make your own secret code. In association with Maths on Toast. Workshop suitable for all ages with parental supervision. 11-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm; activity free with entry adult from £14.50/child from £7.25/family from £25.45/under 5s FREE (Jan 9-10 & Mar 12-13)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Kick off the New Year with your knees up high and your partner swinging, at the first family barn dance of 2016. These popular events invite adults and kids of all ages (bring baby in a carrier) to step lively to English folk music, with a band playing up a storm and a caller telling you where to put your feet. NB: Limited tickets at door, book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3-5pm, adult £7/child £5/under 2s FREE (Oct 11)
We also like
London International Mime Festival kicks off on Saturday (until Feb 6); enjoy bagels, bubbles, board games and bottomless Bloody Marys at Drink Shop & Do (Sun); let your dreams sail away at London International Boat Show (until Jan 17); scope out Lauren Child’s Dolls House at House of Illustration (until Feb 7)
Booking Ahead
Lumiere London, multiple locations (Jan 14-17)
London Model Engineering Exhibition at Ally Pally (Jan 15-17)
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)
The Baby Show at ExCel London (Feb 19-21)
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!
