There’s so much happening for adult and kids weekend wanderers in London, hard to squeeze it all in! We’re excited about the Urban Village Fete, checking out a preview of Alice Through the Looking Glass, and the opening of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Of course the London Kids Weekend Scoop is packed with family friendly theatre, family raves, museum workshops, literary festivals and more. Enjoy!
Fri-Sun: Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild (top pic, credit Johan Persson) at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Queen Mary’s Garden, Inner Circle, York Gate entrance, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
You know summer’s around the corner when Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre launches for the season. We’re excited about this weekend’s opening show, Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, described as the largest-scale production ever to be presented at the Open Air Theatre. Based on Morpurgo’s book and adapted by Samuel Adamson, it’s the story of Will, torn apart from his mum by the tsunami in Indonesia, who must learn to adapt to life in the rainforest. He befriends Oona the elephant, and an orang-utan clan, but then the hunters arrive… We’ve seen some stunning shows at the Open Air Theatre and this tale of love, loss and learning to live in the moment promises to be one you don’t want to miss! Look out for puppetry workshops before select performances during half-term. For ages 4+ (younger ones not admitted), but NB: scenes of high tension/bereavement themes, parental discretion advised). Shows at 2.15pm (Sun May 15; and Sat/Sun and Wed from May 21) and 7.45pm (Tue-Sun), no shows on Mon; tickets from adult £23-£46.50/child under 18 £25 (May 13-Jun 12)
Fri-Sun: The Box of Photographs at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: 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 (until May 15)
Sat: Bec and Tom’s Awesome Laundry at Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre, Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Oh pants! It’s laundry day, but Bec has other ideas – unless Tom can prevent her from avoiding the household chores. Join the messy mayhem of this madcap duo in the critically acclaimed show that’s crammed with sketches, storytelling, paper puppets and all sorts of cavorting. And of course it’s all in the name of good clean fun! For ages 5+. 1.30pm; £11/family ticket £9 each/sirloin seats £16 (May 14)
Sat: Little Folk with Albo at The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
Stamp your hands and clap your feet (or vice versa) at this fun and friendly first concert experience for teeny ones and their grown ups. Wimbledon folksinger/guitarist Al Clogston (aka Albo) brings the party with a mix of American camp tunes, children’s classics, popular folk ditties and new songs to discover. Best for 0-5, suitable for all ages. 11am, £5 (May 14)
Sat: Roald Dahl Family Fun Day at Broadgate Circle, EC2M (Liverpool St tube)
Walk through a candy cane forest and enter a whimsical wonderland where kids and adults can immerse themselves in storytelling, arts, crafts and imaginative games. There will be creative mask and hat making, spectacular science displaces, and a collection of literary-inspired dishes on the menus at Broadgate Circle’s restaurants. Kids eat free at Aubaine (with paying adult) and at Shoryu Ramen, all children under 12 get a free glass of popular Japanese soft drink Calpico. All ages. 11am-4pm, FREE (May 14)
Sat-Sun: Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, multiple venues around Barnes Pond, SW13 (Barnes/Barnes Bridge rail)
There’s an excellent roster of writers and illustrators at this year’s Barnes Children’s Literature Festival. Some of your favourites including Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child, Jacqueline Wilson, Frances Hardinge, CBeebies’ Cerrie Burnell, Emily Gravett, Michael Morpurgo, Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler show up for talks, readings, signings and interactive experiences. There are also musical extravaganzas planned along with a celebration of Roald Dahl’s centenary, a bit of Horrible Science action and some Minecraft fun. All ages. Varying times for activities, tickets just £5 each (May 14-15)
Sat-Sun: Goosebumps Kids, The Vaults, Launcelot Street, off Leake St, Waterloo,SE1 7AD (Waterloo tube/rail)
The immersive promenade theatre experience known as Goosebumps Alive has been terrifying older ones for a few weeks. Now Goosebumps Kids opens for adventurous young ‘uns who don’t mind strange encounters with things that go bump in the night. Brought to you by some of the team behind Alice’s Adventures Underground, this adaption of RL Stines’ books features soundtrack by the Tiger Lillies and plenty of shriek-worthy moments. The kids adventure is aimed at ages 5-11, but enter at your own risk! NB: Not recommended for pregnant women or people with a heart condition. 10.30am-12.30pm (Sat-Sun, from 11am after Jun 1) – shows start every 30 mins and run for 50 mins with no interval; from £15 + booking fee (May 14-Jun 5)
Sun: Urban Village Fete, Peninsula Square, SE10 0ES (North Greenwich)
It’s back for another brilliant year in Greenwich, the Urban Village Fete celebrates the best of the area with a smorgasbord of local talent, design stalls, street theatre, workshops and more. Catch BBC Radio’s Robert Elms in conversation, legendary DJ Gilles Peterson spinning bad tunes for all comers, music, DJ’s, street food from Anna Mae’s, Craft London and other international stalls and loads more to flavour your day. For families, there’s a Super Yummies Discovery playground, hoola hooping shows and workshops with Marawa’s Majorettes, jewellery making from found object with Plastic Seconds, spectacular paper hat making with Chapeau Magique, family drumming with 1Drum, and gigantic slinkies for impromptu play with Big Mob! Greenwich is where it’s at folks, go east. NB: This is also a great weekend to take the Emirates Cable Car if you’ve never tried it, such a fun experience! All ages. 12pm-7pm, FREE (May 15)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Hawaiian Luau Themed Family Rave at Zanzibar, 291 Kirkdale, Sydenham, London, SE26 4QD (Sydenham rail)
Aloha! Get down Hawaiian style at the popular family rave with DJ Lol Hammond (Drum Club) spinning the tunes, and a totally tropical vibe for your happy hoppers. There’s be Tiki masks, inflatable palm trees, summery tunes and a friendly atmosphere, along with the BFLF staples e.g. crafts with Captain Cookie, free glowstick and transfer tattoos for the children, licensed bar, play area, baby chill out, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. Pop on a Hawaiian shirt, a grass skirt, or make do with a flower in your hair and bring your boogie crew for the last BFLF party in SE London until Autumn! For ages 0-8 and their carers. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £8.50, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (May 15)
Sun: Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
We absolutely love this African centred family friendly gathering that happens every second or third Sunday of the month. Browse African fabric and arts stalls, hear the latest sounds from DJs Rita Ray and Max Einhardt, tuck into tasty African food, catch live performances from rotating musicians, play games with the Oware Society, join in Parent and Toddler dance sessions, and finish it all off with an African film. All ages welcome. 2pm-6pm, FREE (May 15)
Sun: Streatham Common Kite Day High Rd, SW16 3HG (Streatham/Streatham Common rail)
Fly girls and boys head to the common for the 18th annual Kite Day. Fingers crossed for just the right amount of breeze and sunshine as it’s an all-day outdoors affair for the whole family. See professional flying crews working their strings to music, enjoy street food (everything from crepes to jerk chicken), bouncy castle, face painting and more. You can bring your own kites or buy on the day — there’s also instructions on the web site for how to make your own kite. All ages. 11am-5pm, FREE (May 15)
Sun: Serpentine Gallery Family Day: A Line is a Dot that Went for a Walk, Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
Join in a fun and creative session with designer Maria O’Connor this Saturday. You’ll be invited to create a collaborative installation that will twist, hook, roll, wrap and hang around the Education studio and beyond. An enjoyable play session that explores colour, pattern and texture, inspired by artists like Paul Klee and Klimt. Workshop takes place at Serpentine Gallery, within the boundaries of gorgeous Kensington Gardens with nearby Diana Princess of Wales playground for roaming in before or after. 12pm-5pm, FREE (May 15)
We also like
Visit museums after dark at some of Museums at Night family friendly events, at Osterley Park and House, Grant Museum of Zoology, Dulwich Picture Gallery & More (until Sun); hunt for Mammals at Bushy Park on this family friendly expedition (Sat); Manchester’s Junkyard Golf Club touches down for crazy golf sessions at Old Truman Brewery (Fri-Sun, ongoing); the vintage rides of Carter’s Steam Fair pull in at Imperial War Museum gardens (Sat-Sun); live music, food stalls and crafts abound at Primrose Hill Festival, 10-6pm, FREE (Sun)
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)
My Neighbour Totoro (U) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 14)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Kung Fu Panda 3 at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 14)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Alvin & the Chipmunks at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 14)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 14)
Rio Cinema Saturday Morning Kids Club, 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Kung Fu Panda 3 at 11am; Child £3/Adult £4 (May 14)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Zootropolis 3D at 12.30pm; £10 (film only), £15 (includes ice cream, movie and popcorn + prosecco for grown-ups) or £20 (includes buffet lunch + snacks and prosecco) (May 14)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families
James and the Giant Peach at 1.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (May 15)
COMING SOON
Alice Through the Looking Glass in UK cinemas from May 27!
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
Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine at Unicorn Theatre (May 20-Jun 26)
Nibble + Squeak Dining Club for Babies at Hawksmoor Guildhall (May 25)
Big Fish Little Fish Carnival Family Rave at Stratford Circus (May 29)
Fun DMC Bank Holiday Monday at Royal Albert Hall (May 30)
Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith (Jun 11-Sep 4)
ArcelorMittal Orbit giant slide at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (opening Jun 24)
Telling Tales Family Literary Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe (Jul 29-31)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Jun 7-May 27, 2017)
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)
Look out for our new Family Festivals page, highlighted on the blog next week!
WOW, would love to join you for the Alice Through the Looking Glass preview! Where is it lovely? xxx A great round up as always! thanks for the great tips!