London Kids Weekend Scoop (Feb 25-28, 2016)

 

 
Are we already in the last weekend of February? Our Birthday Month draws to a close but we’re still in a celebratory mood with lots of fun things to do in London with kids this weekend.

Don’t miss any of the action in our London Kids Weekend Scoop!

Thu-Sun: Comic Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics (main pic) at House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross London N1C 4BH (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
This is super cool and I can’t wait to take the babes. It’s the UK’s largest ever exhibition of female comic artists, co-curated by Olivia Ahmad and Paul Gravett. Check out works from the 1800s to the present day; from observational comedy to surreal fantasy, challenging biography to subversive dissent. The sweeping exhibition features artists from Marie Duval and Tove Jansson to Posy Simmonds, Audrey Niffenegger and Nina Bunjevac. 10am-6pm, adult £7/child £4/family of 4 £18 (until May 15)

 

 
Thu-Sun: Horniman Museum: Dinosaurs – Monster Families at Horniman, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Enter the fascinating world of dinosaurs and their dino babies at this interactive exhibition showing how the creatures looked after their eggs, nests and offspring. You’ll get up close and personal with T-Rex’s relative – a life-size Tarbosaurus skeleton cast and see a replica of ‘Baby Louie’, the near-complete skeleton of a dinosaur hatchling. Tons to see and do at this wonderful museum and the exhibition also features interactive stations and illustrations by artist Luis V Rey. 10.30am-5.30pm, adult £7/child £4/family of 4 £17 (until Oct 30)

Thu-Sun: Jeramee, Hatleby & Ooglemore at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Three performers, three words, but plenty of expression in this clever piece of live theatre aimed at the very young, that blends clowning with the surreal. Ages 3+. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 7pm (times and dates vary, see web site); adult £16/child £10 (Feb 6-Mar 15)

Thu-Sun: Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
After a somewhat disappointing Lumiere Festival (too crowded, not enough spectacle), we have high hopes for this month-long event in west London. For the first time in its illustrious history, the Magical Lantern Festival lights up Chiswick House and Gardens, just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year. Soak up the festive atmosphere, surrounded by gorgeously sculpted lanterns of animals, birds, buildings and abstract shapes. There’s live music and performances and delicious Chinese food to fuel your experience. All ages. 5pm-8.45pm (Tue-Sun); adult £16-£18/child £10-£12/family £48-£56 (Feb 3-Mar 6)

Thu-Sun: Snore at Discover Children’s Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Take your baby along for a gentle session with the Story Builders… although don’t expect them to fall asleep. There’s a whole lotta clucking and mooing going on as the farm animals try to slumber, but the dog’s snoring keeps everyone wide-eyed. Enjoy songs, sound effects and storytelling aimed at ages 0-3. Term time Tue-Fri: 11am & 1.30pm (and 2.30pm on Fridays only), Sat-Sun: 11.30am & 1.30pm. Weekdays in the school holidays Mon-Fri: 11.30am &1.30pm; free with regular admission £5* adult/child, £18 family of 4, under 2s FREE under 2s (ongoing until Apr)

 

 
Fri-Sun Indulgence 2016 at Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, Olympic Park East London E20 1EJ (Stratford tube/DLR/overground)
Yum! Satisfy your belly cravings and explore the wilder side of food at this three-day festival of flavours. Masters of multi-sensory dining Condiment have created four gastronomic zones for visitors to wander through, indulging in culinary thrills — from rare delicacies to the most guilty pleasures. Collect a stamp from each room in your food passport for the chance to win prizes. All ages.
12pm-8pm (Fri-Sat) & 12pm-6pm (Sun), FREE (Feb 26-28)

 

 
Sat: Foundling Museum: Peter Pan Shadow Puppet Theatre, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
This sounds enchanting, an opportunity for kids to make their own shadow puppet theatre inspired by the exhibition Drawing on Children. Artist Davina Drummond leads this workshop inviting you to help Peter and the Lost Boys find their shadows. For ages 5+ (younger siblings welcome). 10.30am-12pm, 1pm-2:30pm, 3pm-4:30pm; workshop is free for child and up to 2 accompanying adults/regular admission adult £8.25/concs £5.50/child under 16 FREE (Feb 27)

Sat: Little Folk with Albo folk concerts for kids and families at The Colour House Theatre, Merton SW19
A lovely first concert experience for young kids, with popular Wimbledon folksinger/guitarist Al Clogston (aka Albo). Come along and sing song with this mix of American camp tunes, traditional children’s classics, folk ditties and original songs for little ones. Best for 0-5, suitable for all ages. 10.30am, £5 (Feb 27)

Sat: Royal Academy: Playful Pets and Curious Creatures at John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, let the playful sculptures of Royal Academician Cathie Pilkington spark your imagination.Use clay and found materials to make 3D creatures and celebrate the works of female artists today. All ages. 11am-3pm, FREE, drop-in (Feb 28)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Mini Vault Festival at Waterloo, The Vaults, Leake St, London SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
After a hugely successful launch last year, the Vault Festival returns to Waterloo’s hidden tunnels, along with the Mini Vault programme just for nippers. We had loads of fun at the Out of this World Rave and there’s loads on this weekend: Keep Fit Fandango brings Bristol’s bassiest exercise class to London (Sat, 2pm, all ages); Simon Panrucker presents whirlwind show of nonsensical rapping and musical mayhem (Sat, 11am, ages 6+); join Dave in the Cavern for a Make Music Workshop (Sat-Sun, 10.30am, all ages); Captain Morgan and Crew take you on a pirate adventure (Sat-Sun, 12pm, ages 6+); take part in a Night at the Theatre (Sat-Sun, 1pm, all ages); and follow The Star Seekers to a galaxy far, far away (Sat-Sun, 10.45am & 12.30pm, ages 4+). Shows £8-£15, some activities FREE! (Feb 27-28)

Sat-Sun: British Museum: Digital Photography Trails and Innovation Lab at Samsung Learning Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
Use a digital camera to explore the museum’s objects and artefacts on a fascinating trail (Sat, 11am-4pm, ages 5+) and the following day slightly older kids can test out new digital devices, experiment with software, or create something alongside a digital expert (Sun 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm, ages 7+). From 11am, both activities are FREE (Feb 27-28)

Sun: Pachamama at Rich Mix, 5-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Be transported to the mountains, valleys and lowlands of Bolivia at this celebration honouring Mother Earth. Join in with traditional music, dance and ceremonies including a charming animation about the value of water, and live performances from Andean and Amazonian troupes. For all ages. 5.30pm, £10, £7 conc/adv, under 12s FREE (Feb 28)

We also like
Puppet fun with Rumpelstiltskin at Little Angel Theatre (Thu-Sun); African storytelling and puppetry in Handa’s Hen at Half Moon Theatre in E1, for ages 2-5 (Sat); Japanese animation in Howl’s Moving Castle (U) at Regent St Cinema (Sat); circus show The Party at JW3 (Sun)

Booking Ahead

World Book Day (Mar 3)
Michael Rosen’s The Big Write Festival at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Mar 3-11)
The First National Trust Children’s Book Festival (Mar 4-6)
Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave for Mother’s Day at The Garage, Islington (Mar 6)
Big Fish Little Fish Camp Bestival Warm Up Party at Zanzibar, Sydenham (Mar 20)
BYO Baby Karaoke at Lucky Voice Islington (Mar 31/last Thu every month)
Little Folk with Albo folk concerts for kids and families at The Colour House Theatre, Merton SW19 (Apr 23)
Fun DMC Bank Holiday Monday at Royal Albert Hall (May 30)

Upcoming Family Festivals

Lunar Festival (Jun 3-5)
Nozstock Festival (Jul 22-24)
Deer Shed Festival (Jul 22-24)
Camp Bestival (Jul 28-31)
Just So Festival (Aug 19-21)
Electric Fields Festival (Aug 26-27)
On Blackheath (Sep 10-11)