Birthday month is officially here and I’m looking forward to a birthday drink and boogie at the Big Fish Little Fish rave at Mini Vault Festival on Saturday. Do say hi if you spot us!
Tons of good stuff in the London Kids Weekend Scoop from family theatre to circus acts, brilliant family friendly workshops and don’t forget Harry Potter: A Night of Spells happening TONIGHT!
Enjoy x
Hot Pick
Sat: Mini Vault Festival featuring Big Fish Little Fish Out of This World Rave! (top 2 pics), The Vaults, Waterloo, Leake St, SE1 (Waterloo tube/rail)
We’re counting down to my birthday, and an early celebration at Mini Vault Festival, number 2 on our 16 Things to Look Forward to in 2016 hot list. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable party in Waterloo’s secret tunnels. Explore multiple underground zones with top DJs, amazing performers, play and chill areas. Highlights include: Villa Pia Photo Booth, Korg synth and gadget workshops, surreal entertainers Professor Kayoss and The Answer to Everything Machine, Cariad Interactives light projections, storytelling, archeology workshop with Museum of London digging deep for peculiar treasures from the land and sea, OKIDO play space, Happy Monkey craft area and much more. Plus all the BFLF staples including licensed bar, parachute dance finale and goodies for the kids. 11am-2pm, from £14-£17/non-walking babies FREE (Feb 6)
Congrats to Vera B and Sam McK. who each won a Family Ticket to attend the event, courtesy of Villa Pia!
Also in our London Kids Weekend Scoop…
Thu: Harry Potter Book Night, multiple locations
There’s magic in the air as Harry Potter casts its spell over imaginations across the globe on this special annual event. Last year an astonishing 10,500 celebrations were held across the globe and it’s not too late to get in on the action. You can host your own Harry Potter movie marathon or book bug sleepover at home, or pop along to local events at Nomad Books, Waterstone’s, Daunt Books, Foyles or check your nearest library. Lots of ideas for Harry Potter Book Night activities on the website too. 5pm onwards, FREE (Feb 4)
Thu-Sat: He Who Falls (Celui qui tombe) at Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
For slightly older kids and families, this French piece of theatre combines dazzling choreography and feats of balance with rousing music from Frank Sinatra’s My Way to arias such as Casta Diva. See six performers apply strength and grace to a constantly moving platform, giving the illusion of defying gravity. Part of the London International Mime Festival. Ages 8+. 7.45pm; £16-£28 (Feb 3-6)
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: Beauty and the Beast at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: 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)
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)
Thu-Sun: Drawing on Childhood 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, focusing on drawings of orphaned or abandoned children, from the 18th century to the present. The exhibition features illustrations from some of our best-loved children’s literature, including Nick Sharratt’s illustrations for Hetty Feather, James Trotter’s illustrations for Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach; along with other famous faces from Harry Potter to Cinderella. Coram’s Fields playground is just around the corner for blowing off steam afterwards. All ages. 10am-5pm (Tue-Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); adult £8.25/concs £5.50/child under 16 FREE (until May 1)
Fri-Sun: The Ugly Duckling at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
It’s a hard duck life for this little misfit, who gets teased by the other farm creatures and dreams of a life beyond where he’s ‘free to be me’. But it’s a big weird world out there, can he survive and will he find somewhere he belongs. Thingumajig present Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale formula with live music, gorgeous puppetry and a touch of magic. Best for ages 5-12, suitable for 4+, babies and children under 4 only at All Ages performance, advance telephone booking recommended (Sunday 11am). 1pm & 5pm (Fri); 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); £10 / £8 children and concessions; Friday Fives: all tickets £5 for shows at 5pm on Friday (Feb 5-7)
Sat: National Gallery: Chinese New Year Family Festival Day, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross Rd tube)
Celebrate the Year of the Monkey at this free day of workshops and activities for all the family. Take part in Little Bunnies Mandarin nursery rhymes, follow a Chinese Zodiac family trail around the museum, sit on the Magic Monkey carpet for storytelling adventures, make mesmerising masks, play Chinese instruments and more fun. All ages. 11am-4pm, FREE (Feb 6)
Sat-Sun: Saatchi Gallery Family Workshop: Doodle Nest, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
We love the sound of this: a family focussed event where kids can transform their own white cube into an original work of art. These works will become part of an installation to be exhibited at the gallery. The workshop is run by Doodle Next, a company that transforms children’s art into coffee table books. Come and get doodling! All ages welcome. 11am-4pm, FREE (Feb 6 & 7, exhibition of cubes on Feb 10-18)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Playful Pets and Curious Creatures at ohn Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Come along for some Sunday morning or early afternoon inspiration with Royal Academician Cathie Pilkington, making playful sculptures that celebrate women in the arts today. Families can work together with clay and found materials to make creatures and pets in what’s described as a ‘3D multimedia sculpture festival’. This intergenerational workshop is to mark International Women’s Day coming up soon. All ages. 11am-3pm, FREE, drop-in (Feb 7)
Sun: Alice in Wonderland (U) at Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY , (Leicester Square tube)
Follow the White Rabbit down a hole into an enchanted, topsy turvy Wonderland where Alice will grow, shrink, meet some memorable characters and battle the Queen of Hearts. Disney’s classic adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s children’s tale is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. And with Chinese New Year around the corner, you and your little munchkins could make a date with dim sum in nearby Chinatown. Look out for our Best Dim Sum guide out soon! 1pm,
£3/£5/£7.50 (Feb 7)
We also like
LAST CHANCE for London International Mime Festival, various locations (until Sat) and Lauren Child’s Dolls House at House of Illustration (until Sun); make monkey masks at Cutty Sark: Chinese New Year Family Fun weekend (Sat-Sun); see daredevil stunts at Nitro Circus at the O2 ;
Booking Ahead
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)
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)
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)
February Half Term Scoop out next week!
