Did you enjoy the taste of spring this week? Fingers crossed for perky weather over the next few days, but rain or shine or London Kids Weekend Scoop has loads to lift your mood. Shakespeare 400, medieval knights battling in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, CircusFest and London Children’s Ballet and lots more. Have a good one!
Thu-Sun: Sadler’s Wells presents London Children’s Ballet: Little Lord Fauntleroy at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
The classic tale of a poor American boy who learns he’s the heir to an English title and fortune is brought to the stage in a charming adaptation by London Children’s Ballet. A talented cast, ages 9-16, perform to Jenna Lee’s choreography, reenacting the story of a courageous boy whose fate is to restore his fractured family and discover his true destiny. For ages 3+ (under 3s not admitted). 7pm premiere (Thu); 6.30pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 12.30pm & 4.30pm (Sun); £14, £17, £24, £30, £39, £55 (Apr 21-24)
Thu-Sun: Ockham’s Razor: Tipping Point at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Five performers turn simple metal poles into a vibrant landscape of images in Tipping Point, the brand new circus piece from Ockham’s Razor. Watch them balance, swing, climb and teeter as they reach the tipping point, set to a richly layered soundtrack composed by Adem Ilham & Quinta whose previous associations include Bat for Lashes, Hot Chip and Radiohead. Part of CircusFest 2016. Ages 6+ (younger ones not admitted). 7.30pm (Thu-Sat), 3.30pm (Sun); £15-£18 (Apr 21-24)
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: Rolling Stones at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
Exhibitionism: The Rolling Stones is the first ever international exhibition on the cult British band whose music defined a generation. The retrospective features more than 500 original artefacts, including album covers, rare audio tracks, personal diaries and video footage. Feel the music and the emotion in unique wraparound cinematic experiences that capture every aspect of their careers. Not aimed specifically at children but why not bring the babes along for a taste of historic rock & roll? Treat the family to brunch or afternoon tea in the Gallery Mess restaurant. 10am-6pm (last entry 4.30pm); adult £19-£21/child age 6-17 £12-£15/kids under 6 FREE (until Sep 4)
Fri-Sun: The Box of Photographs at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Having moved into a new flat, young Chelsea discovers an old box of photos under her Mum’s bed. As she goes through the box, the people in the photos jump into the room and take Chelsea on amazing new experiences and adventures. Clever new work based on stories created by local children and inspired by the photos of Donne Buck. For ages 7-12. Performances at 1pm (Fri Apr 22), 10.15am & 1.45pm; 2pm & 2.30pm (dates and times vary); £10-£13.50 (Apr 22-May 15)
Fri-Sun: The Amazing Bubble Man at Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The big purple cow with his feet in the air is back at Southbank Centre for the summer. This weekend offers kids of all ages the chance to catch a world famous act that has been enchanting audiences for 30 years. Louis Pearl’s show explores the dynamics of bubbles with a blend of comedy, artistry and audience participation set to BLOW your kids’ minds and make your own eyes POP. 2pm (Fri), 11am & 1pm (Sat), 12pm & 2pm (Sun); £10-£15/family ticket £32 (Apr 22-24)
Sat: Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens St George’s Day Festival: The London Tournament (and main pic), SE11 5HY (Vauxhall tube/rail)
Hooray hooray, it’s St George’s Day. Grab your little dragon slayers and head to Vauxhall for this fun day out. Battle of the Nations returns with an epic day of medieval combat, the inaugural London Tournament. Have your weapons made on the site (wooden shields and swords for kids), take part in kids’ races, watch knights from around the globe in fighting demos, see washerwomen in medieval dress, feast on a spit-roasted hog, see Punch & Judy, pop up Shakespeare performances, falconry and much more havoc! 12pm, FREE (Apr 23)
More St George’s Day Celebrations, multiple locations:
Sat: Over at V&A Museum of Childhood (Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA, Bethnal Green tube), there’s a day of English folk music and dance, and family arts and crafts (11.30am-4.30pm, FREE, Apr 23).
Sat: Trafalgar Square will be the site of the Feast of St George with live music, activities celebrating Shakespeare, food stalls and demos and an Enchanted Forest for kids (12pm-6pm, FREE, Apr 23).
Sun: Borough Market is the place to be for paying respect to your appetite, cooking demos and fun and games with the Catalan community who share St George as a patron saint. (12pm-4pm, FREE, Apr 24)
Sat: http://colourhousetheatre.co.uk/rebrand/booking/little-folk-with-albo/ target=_blank>Little Folk with Albo at The Colour House Theatre,
Merton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way, SW19 2RD (South Wimbledon tube)
Come and join in a warm and friendly first concert experience for tiny people, with Wimbledon folksinger/guitarist Al Clogston (aka Albo). Sing and stomp along to American camp tunes, traditional children’s classics, folk ditties and original songs. Best for 0-5, suitable for all ages. 10.30am, £5 (Apr 23)
Sat-Sun: Anorak Magazine: The Drawing Imaginarium (London Edition), The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QL (Shoreditch High St overground/Liverpool St tube)
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Anorak Magazine at the London edition of their anniversary festival (first was in Manchester), being held in Old Truman Brewery as part of the D&AD Festival for design and advertising. The D&AD Festival offers a chance to view 26,000 pieces of work and take part in Anorak’s interactive family workshops. The Drawing Imaginarium activities include Anorak’s Magical Wall, School of Paper Planes, Happy Kites workshops, Fuzzy Folk felt workshop, Imaginarium Aquarium and more, plus a bookshop where you can buy posters and issues of their Happy Mags for Kids. All ages. 10am-5pm, FREE (Apr 23-24)
Sat-Sun: Shakespeare’s Globe: Shakespeare 400, Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Old Shakey died 400 years ago on Saturday and that’s cause for a massive party, apparently, as Shakespeare’s Globe leads the celebrations with tons of Bard-related activities over the weekend. Put on your sturdy shoes and bring the babes for The Complete Walk, a series of 10 minute films (starring the likes of Dominic West) playing on 37 screens along the Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge. If you’ve never been, this could be a great time to explore the Globe Exhibition and Tour and why not stop in for Afternoon Tea in the Swan too? We had a great time there over the Easter break. Check out the site for more activities for all ages, between 10am-10pm, all FREE (Apr 23-24)
We also like
See Covent Garden’s Market Building encased in giant mirrors for the
Reflect London installation (ongoing); this weekend is sold out but you can still nab tickets for The Polar Bears Go Up at Unicorn Theatre for ages 2-5 (until May 1); New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival kicks off this weekend, and to mark Shakespeare 400 screenings include Disney’s Hamlet aka The Lion King (Sun Apr 23), Romeo & Juliet and more (Apr 22-May 1); if you head to Rich Mix, check out EthiopiaSkate photo series exploring Ethiopia’s growing skate culture (until Apr 29)
London Kids Cinema Listings
A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.
Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Eleanor’s Secret (U) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Apr 23)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
The Lorax at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Apr 23)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Gnomeo and Juliet 2D at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Apr 23)
Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Singalong-a Frozen at 12.30pm; child £9.50/adult £13.50-£16 (Apr 24)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
How to Train Your Dragon at 11.30am; £1.75 (Apr 23)
Rio Cinema Saturday Morning Kids Club, 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Goosebumps at 11am; Child £3/Adult £4 (Apr 23)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip at 12.30pm; £15 (includes ice cream, movie and popcorn + prosecco for grown-ups) (Apr 23)
COMING SOON
BFI Southbank: BFI Families
The Angry Birds Movie at 11.15am; adult £11.75/child £4 (May 8)
Check out our Parent & Baby cinema guide;
Look out for our London Kids Cinema page coming soon, and don’t miss our picks for Top 150 Family Films!
Booking Ahead
Children’s Commission at Whitechapel Gallery (Apr 26-Aug 14)
BYO Baby Karaoke at Lucky Voice Islington (Apr 28/last Thu every month)
Canalway Cavalcade (Apr 30-May 2)
ArcelorMittal Orbit giant slide at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (opening in May, date tbc)
Free Comic Book Day at Gosh Comics (May 7)
Big Fish Little Fish Hawaiian Luau Rave at The Garage, Islington (May 8)
Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall at London Wonderground, Southbank centre (May 8-Sep 25)
Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (May 13-Jun 12)
Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (May 14-15)
Little London Party at Hamleys (May 15)
Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine at Unicorn Theatre (May 20-Jun 26)
Big Fish Little Fish Carnival Family Rave at Stratford Circus (May 29)
Fun DMC Bank Holiday Monday at Royal Albert Hall (May 30)
Telling Tales Family Literary Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe (Jul 29-31)
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)
Our Family Festivals Guide is out soon!
