Today’s a big day for the UK and Europe, I’ve cast my vote and I’m very firmly in the REMAIN camp. Fingers crossed for the best possible result. UPDATE Friday 24: Well that didn’t work out. Safe to say I’m gutted, but let’s try and keep our chin ups and remember that London as a whole does believe we’re stronger together regardless of where this country is heading next.
In the meantime, enjoy all the fun things happening in our London Kids Weekend Scoop.
Thu-Sat: Dinosaur Park at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East tube, Shadwell overground/DLR)
Take your tiny T-Rex fans to this jurassic adventure from Superbolt Theatre described as a five-star production of ‘show-stopping, spine-tingling theatrics and megalithic mayhem’. Paying homage to Spielberg’s famous creature features, Dinosaur Park traces the ‘tail’ of the Park Family who visit a past filled with raptors and other beasts, but it’s the monsters within that they have to conquer. A fun-sounding romp for ages 8+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat); 3pm matinees (Sat) £15 (standard/concs)-£25 (table seating) (Jun 21-Jul 2)
Thu-Sun: Polka Theatre: Chester Tuffnut, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Who is Chester Tuffnut? Well, he’s no ordinary tremolo that’s for sure. Chester has a fondness for digging holes and the great outdoors, but he can also be found relaxing in an armchair in one of his favourite jumpers. Chester brings excitement and adventure into the lives of the Woodland animals, transforming their days from boredom to laughter and fun. A sweet story about discovery, daring and making friends, recommended for ages 2-5, but all ages welcome. Varying performance times from 10.20am Wed-Sun; £12 (Jun 22-Aug 14)
Thu-Sun Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
LAST CHANCE: Tickets are flying FAST for this inventive adaptation of the hugely popular book Septimus Bean and His Amazing Machine. 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 (until Jun 26)
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-Sat: Noshville at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The street food collective Kerb takes over King’s Cross again with their two-day Americana BBQ hoedown, in partnership with the Maverick Festival. Come to Granary Square for an afternoon (or two) of feasting and fun, including live DJs and musicians playing bluegrass and deep Southern roots music, and of course tasty nosh from 16 street food traders. Enjoy mint juleps, cajun lemonade, bourbon wings, fried chicken and other delicacies. All ages. 5pm-10.30pm (Fri) & 11am-8pm (Sat); FREE (Jun 24-25)
Fri-Sun: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, various sites around Greenwich (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail/Canary Wharf tube)
Head down to Greenwich for the annual 10 day festival celebrating ‘perception-changing’ outdoor art and performance. The opening weekend sees the ever popular free Greenwich Fair for families, offering loads of street theatre, games, dance, workshops and pop-ups! Also don’t miss wild and wonderful Les Enfants Terribles (Jun 25-26) and keep your eye on the web site for all the action coming up. Dates and times vary; most events are FREE, a few ticketed events from £7-£15 (Jun 24-Jul 2)
Fri-Sun: The BFG in Pictures at the House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The BFG movie is coming out this summer (release date Jul 22) and to celebrate, House of Illustration are hosting this unique exhibition featuring 40 original illustrations from Roald Dahl’s gentle giant tale. A perfect complement to the current Quentin Blake: 7 Kinds of Magic exhibition, this show features many illustrations that have never been displayed in public since the book’s publication in 1982. 10am-6pm; adult £7/child £4/family £18 (Jun 24-Oct 2)
Fri-Sun: ArcelorMittal Orbit giant slide at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Thornton Street, London E20
Wheeee! We’ve been waiting for this one and finally the world’s longest tunnel slide opens, at that delightfully strange contraption designed by Anish Kapoor in the Olympic Park. The country’s tallest public artwork is transformed by Belgian artist Carsten Holler (of Tate Modern and Hayward gallery slides fame), allowing intrepid visitors to loop the loop along 178 metres at breakneck speed. Not for the faint-hearted. Ages 8+ (opening Jun 24)
Sat: Pride in London, in and around central London/Golden Square, Soho, W1R 3AD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Sashay, chante. It’s time for the annual Pride in London parade, where more than 40,000 performers and members of the LGBT community will be out and proud through central London, winding up in Trafalgar Square. Enjoy the flamboyance and diversity of the Pride crowd, and pop along to Golden Square Family Area where our favourite party people Big Fish Little Fish are hosting another mini rave (4pm-6pm) for LGBT families and supporters. Parade from 1pm-4.30pm; Golden Square 12pm-7pm; fun in Trafalgar Square from 1pm-8pm; all FREE (Jun 26)
Sat: Mumsnet Bookfest, at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Right here in our ‘hood, Mumsnet hosts its first literary festival aimed at kids and families. The one day affair will feature some of the most popular children’s authors and illustrators around, such as Oliver Jeffers, Holly Webb, Liz Pichon and more. Find out about how the Tom Gates series got started, celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mr Gum, take part in a Diary of a Wimpy Kid draw-along and quiz, and explore the magical world of Harry Potter. 10am-6pm; £7 per event/family ticket £27 (Jun 25)
Sun: London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, London Regatta Centre, Dockside Road, E16 2QT (Royal Albert Docks DLR)
One of the most colourful festivals on London’s annual calendar happens this Sunday, launching from the London Regatta Centre in Victoria Docks. Every year thousands of visitors line the banks of the Thames to watch the London Hong Kong dragon boats on display, as they race along the river. There’s plenty to keep big and small occupied throughout the day, including Chinese lion dancing, martial arts demos, live music and dance, and an Asian street food festival. All ages. From 10am, FREE (Jun 26)
We also like
Go for crafts, stalls, cake contests and more at the Union Chapel summer fete, in N1 (Sat); party with the pre-school set at Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall at London Wonderground, Southbank Centre (Sat); visit the Design Museum for the Weekend Punk activities and workshops to close its Shad Thames location (Sat-Sun); pop to the Barnard Park Sunday Cafe in N1 for fun and games (Sun); hear stunning a cappella and beatboxing in Gobsmacked at Southbank Centre’s Udderbelly Festival (ongoing until Jul 17)
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)
Spirited Away (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jun 25)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Robinson Crusoe at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jun 25)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Spirited Away at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jun 25)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The BFG at 11.30am; £1.75 (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)
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)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families
ET The Extraterrestrial screening and Q&A at 12pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jun 26)
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
Strawberries and Screen, Wimbledon at Granary Square (Jun 27-Jul 10)
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 6-Jan 8, 2017)
Something Happening for Kids Festival at The Place (Jul 16)
Finding Dory, on general release (Jul 29)
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
