Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, what are your plans for the big bad guy in your life? There are loads of manly, dad and lad… or papa and princess things to do in the London Kids Weekend Scoop — as well as stuff the entire family can enjoy too. Have a great weekend!
Thu-Sun: Affordable Art Fair on Hampstead Heath, Lower Fairground Site, East Heath Rd, NW3 1TH (Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
Always dreamed of starting or enhancing your art collection? Well here’s your chance, as the Affordable Art Fair offers culture vultures a chance to scoop up bargain works of brilliance, from as little as £40. This promises to be a great day on the Heath, with plenty of interesting sights to keep the family entertained. There are arty activity packs for children too and a free crèche for ages 2-10, no pre-booking required! 11am-6pm, adult weekday £10 adv/£12 door, adult weekend £12 adv/£15 door, child under 16 FREE (Jun 16-19)
Thu-Sun: National Maritime Museum: Above and Beyond, Romney Rd, Greenwich SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Embark on an epic adventure in this brand new interactive exhibition that explores the unique wonders of flight. Be inspired by the innovation, design and technology that makes air and space travel possible; take an elevator trip to the edge of space and view Earth from above; imagine how your body would cope on a flight to the red planet; design and race a supersonic jet… and loads more activities! Recommended for ages 7+. 10am-5pm; adult from £8.10/child 5-15 from £5.40/under 5s FREE (May 27-Aug 29)
Thu-Sun: Taste of London festival at Regent’s Park, NW1 5HA (Baker St tube)
Om nom nom. Taste of London returns to for another delicious fiesta of the best food and flavours from some of the top places to eat in the Capital. Hailed as the ‘world’s greatest restaurant festival’, take that hungry papa and the whole family along for an entire day of food stalls, tastings, cooking demonstrations, chef masterclasses, workshops for kids workshops and more edible enjoyment. All ages. 12-4pm & 5.30-9.30pm (Sat), 12-5pm & 5.30-9.30pm (Sun); adult £16-£36.50/child £13/under 5s FREE (Jun 15-19)
Thu-Sun Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Tickets are flying FAST for this inventive adaptation of the hugely popular book Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine, so if you miss out this weekend, best to book ahead for any upcoming dates you can make. Septimus creates a crazy machine that looks fantastic, but what’s it for? See him explore and discover what it can do with the help of the king of the court, and a little audience support. Laughs, rhythm and lots of imagination in a show for ages 4+. Various shows at 10.15am, 11am, 1.15pm, 1.30pm, 3pm (check website for times/dates); adult £16/child £10 (May 20-Jun 26)
Thu-Sun: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2, 113 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5AY (Tottenham Court Rd/Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Early feedback is OUTSTANDING and ok, so tickets are like gold dust for the Harry Potter play, but if you keep an eye on the web site, something magical might happen (e.g. winning the special release ticket lottery held every Friday at 1pm). Set 19 years after Harry and his wizard friends left Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth instalment of JK Rowling’s masterpiece series, and first official Potter play. Harry’s grappling with working at Ministry of Magic and raising his son Albus, whose destiny becomes intertwined with Harry’s past in ways neither of them could foresee. The two-part play can be seen as matinee and evening performances or on consecutive days. Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley take on the celebrated roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron in what’s set to be THE must-see summer show. Ages 6+. 2pm & 7.30pm (Wed & Sat), 7.30pm (Thu-Fri), 1pm & 6.30pm (Sun); £15-£65 (previews from Jun 7, world premiere Jul 30, 2016-booking until May 27, 2017)
Thu-Sun: Aladdin the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street London W1D 4HS (Charing Cross rail/tube, Leicester Square/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
A whole new world comes to the West End as one of Disney’s best-loved animated movies hits the stage. All the music from the film, as well as new songs, dazzling choreography, colourful costumes and a stellar cast promise an exciting adventure for all ages. The creative team includes director and choreographer, Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), music by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), lyrics from Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tim Rice (The Lion King) and Chad Beguelin (Elf), who also wrote the book. Aladdin the Musical previews this half-term and is set to sweep UK audiences off their feet. Recommended for ages 6+, under 3s not admitted. 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 7.30pm (Mon-Sat); from £27.25 (until Oct 1)
Thu-Sun: Bugsy Malone at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
I’m not exaggerating when I say that Bugsy Malone was one of the best kids’ theatre performances we’ve ever seen as a family, and we couldn’t be more thrilled at its return to Lyric Hammersmith. The loving adaptation of Alan Parker’s Oscar-winning film brought laughter, dancing and tears of joyful nostalgia to audiences last year. Join Bugsy, Blousey and Talullah on a familiar caper from Fat Sam’s Grand to a wonderfully messy finale. Filled with fab tunes, terrific kids and great routines. If you missed it the first time, we urge you to beg, borrow or splurge gun your way to the box office. For ages 6+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat), 1pm (Sun); £15-£40 (Jun 11-Sep 4)
Fri: London Zoo: Sunset Safari at ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
Visit London Zoo after dark as the Sunset Safari returns for select Friday evenings in the company of the zoo’s furry and feathered inhabitants. Experience the more than 700 species before bedtime, hear acoustic guitar and smooth jazz, tuck into treats from the World Food market. It’s also the perfect chance to discover the stunning new enclosure Land of the Lions where the Asiatic lions reign. All ages. 10am-5pm daily; regular zoo admission adult from £24.25/child from £17.60/family of 4 from £75/under 3s FREE (zoo open daily; next Sunset Safari on Jun 17)
Fri-Sat: Street Feast at Dalston Yard, Hartwell Street, E8 3DU (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Summer in the air means tasty outdoor grubbing and where better to grab a bite in the open air than at Street Feast? Treat the big man in your life to London’s best night food market, back at Dalston Yard for another family friendly season of beats and eats from the likes of White Men Can’t Jerk, Smokestak, Kimchinary, and more. Bring your appetite (and your wallet) and savour everything from Korean to Mexican. All ages. 5pm-midnight, FREE entry (Fri-Sat, ongoing)
Fri-Sun: New Tate Modern Opening Weekend at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
We’ve been excited since January about the launch of the New Tate Modern. The new 10 storey building behind the original power station will offer much more displays and interactive space, including a dedicated area for the youth programme, where all ages are invited to create, experiment and innovate. Opening weekend offers choral performances, film and video shows, a space for families to play with sound and performance art and much more. All ages. 10am-10pm, FREE (Jun 17-19)
Sat: Udderbelly Festival: Comedy Club 4 Kids, Southbank Centre, Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Some of the international circuit’s best stand-ups, cabaret performers and sketch groups clean up their acts for a family friendly crowd. Matt Highton (MC), sketch duo Bucket, Matt Kirshen are on the roster for this Saturday’s show that promises loads of laughs and a few surprises, perfectly aimed for ages 6+. 1.30pm; £11/family ticket £9 each/sirloin seats £16 (Jun 18)
Sat-Sun: Open Garden Squares Weekend, around London
Once again, the hugely popular two-day event offers Londoners and tourists an opportunity to go behind the gates of some of the most exquisite, fascinating or secret gardens around London. There are up to 200 famous and hidden gardens to explore, from prison green spaces to roof gardens, with multiple entry for just over a tenner (advance bookings). From 8am daily (times vary by venue), adult weekend passes only £12 (bought ahead of the event) or £14 (on weekend)/under 12s FREE (Jun 18-19)
Sat-Sun: Waterloo Festival at Apsley House 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Head to the historic Apley House for the launch of its series of celebrations around the Battle of Waterloo. Every weekend in June will feature a different family activity, and this Saturday and Sunday you can see with special interpreters performing roles to relive the Napoleonic War as you are brought face to face with Wellington’s troops. Sounds like a fun Father’s Day adventure! 11am-4pm, adult £9.70/child 5-15 £5.80/family £25.20/under 5s FREE (Jun 18-19)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Father’s Day Rave at The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
Ride ‘em cowboys! Plastician DJs get the crowds saying ‘yee haw’ on the dance floor, as BFLF bring the country hoedown to Balham. Dance up a storm, have a mosey around the Happy Monkey craft room with Captain Cookie, enjoy the BFLF staples e.g. free glowstick and transfer tattoos for the kids, colouring mural, licensed bar, cake stalls, play area, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. For the youngest folk, don’t miss out on the Villa Pia babies and crawlers room with chill out mats and soft play ball pool. This is your last chance to catch Big Fish Little Fish in south London London before they go on tour to multiple festivals including GLASTONBURY! For ages 0-8 and their carers. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Jun 19)
Sun: The Cally Festival, along Caledonian Rd (King’s Cross St Pancras/Caledonian Rd tube, Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury overground)
Another showing for the brilliant Cally Festival, our favourite local street party that gets bigger and more colourful each year. There will be loads of sights and sounds, including pop-up poetry, kids and adult craft zones, the ever popular dance floor with workshops, urban gym and boxing, live music stage and of course some delicious street food from some of London’s hottest names. Lovely way to spend Father’s Day, let’s just hope it stays dry! All ages. 12-6pm, FREE (Jun 14)
Sun: Udderbelly Festival: The Showstoppers’ Fantastical Story Factory at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The big purple cow hosts tons of family friendly acts over the summer including the Showstopper’s Fantastical Story Factory. This team of award-winning West End improvisers take ideas from the audience, and turn them into marvellous, musical adventures on the spot. Discover magical kingdoms created on the spur of the moment and be the master of what happens next. But only kids get to direct the story, no adult suggestions will be taken! For ages 6+. 1.30pm, £10/sirloin seats £15/family £32 (Jun 19 & Jul 2)
We also like
King Henry’s Walk Gardens Summer Fete (Sat); visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition Family Day (Sat); experience fabulous, FREE musical theatre performances in West End Live at Trafalgar Square (Sat-Sun); have a marvellous day of stalls, rides, games, shows and more at the Marylebone Summer Fayre (Sun); explore the super chill, secret garden in Barnsbury Square for Open Garden Squares weekend (Sun); pop to the Barnard Park Sunday Cafe in N1 for fun and games (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)
Long Way North (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jun 18)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Wreck-It Ralph at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jun 18)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Long Way North at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jun 18)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jun 18)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families
Funday Preview: The Secret Life of Pets at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jun 19)
COMING SOON
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Top Cat Begins 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) (Jun 25)
Rio Cinema Saturday Morning Kids Club, 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Only Yesterday at 11am; Child £3/Adult £4 (Jun 25)
Check out our Parent & Baby cinema guide;
Our London Kids Cinema page launches soon, and don’t miss our picks for Top 150 Family Films!
Booking Ahead
ArcelorMittal Orbit giant slide at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (opening Jun 24)
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 6-Jan 8, 2017)
Something Happening for Kids Festival at The Place (Jul 16)
Telling Tales Family Literary Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe (Jul 29-31)
Upcoming Family Festivals
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)
Don’t miss our Family Festivals guide
