Happy Thursday! Loads of lovely things to do in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. These are rocky times for our nation, but we can still look outwards, stay positive, enjoy the brilliant sense of community we have in the capital, and make the most of all the fantastic culture available to us from all parts of the world. Have a great weekend and here’s wishing all our American readers a very happy 4th of July!
Watch Wimbledon Tennis on a Giant Outdoor Screen
Thu-Sun: Strawberries and Screen, Wimbledon at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Two years ago we caught the Men’s Wimbledon Final match in Granary Square, a wonderful atmosphere and arena to watch all the action from centre court and beyond. The big screens return to Granary Square with deck chairs for the first 50 bums on seats, strawberries and cream on offer, jugs of Pimms and rotating street food traders. Look out for pop-up tennis sessions for families held nearby on occasion. All ages. Daily, FREE (Jun 27-Jul 10)
More places to watch the tennis in London: Great British Summer at One New Change in EC4 (St. Paul’s tube, daily until Jul 10); Wimbledon Finals at Regent’s Place, W1 (Jul 9-10); Great British Summer Wimbledon on the Rooftop at Cardinal Place in Victoria (daily until Jul 10); Wimbledon at More London’s London Bridge City Summer Festival (daily until Jul 10);
Great British Summer in New Square New Street Square in Chancery Lane (daily until Jul 10); and Wimbledon Finals at Duke of York Square (Jul 8-10)
Thu-Sat: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, various sites around Greenwich (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail/Canary Wharf tube)
LAST CHANCE: Head down to Greenwich for the last weekend of the festival celebrating ‘perception-changing’ outdoor art and performance. Don’t miss the exhilarating Dancing City series of performances (Fri-Sat); Ignite mechanical animals; and the festival finale Clash of Drums. All ages. Dates and times vary; most events are FREE, a few ticketed events from £7-£15 (until Jul 2)
Thu-Sat: Dinosaur Park at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East tube, Shadwell overground/DLR)
LAST CHANCE: 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: Make the Future London (top pic) at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E20 2ST (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
Another brilliant sounding free family festival, taking a look at our global future under the threat of climate change. Sponsored by Shell, this festival explores the innovative ideas helping to tackle the challenges of cleaner energy and a low-carbon world. London kids can play with energy zorbs, virtual reality headsets, saltwater fuelled cars and more. Special appearances from football legend Pelé hosting a penalty shootout on a Pavegen pitch, generating energy from every footstep; Channel 4’s Reverse Engineers, Rachel Riley, Pixie Lott and more. You can enjoy street food, explore the wonderful park or even book yourself a ride on the world’s longest slide! All ages. 9am-6pm (last entry 5pm); FREE (Jun 30-Jul 3)
Thu-Sun: Gifford’s Circus, Chiswick House and Gardens, Duke’s Avenue, Chiswick, Great West Road, W4 2RP
Roll up, roll up! The self-described ‘magical village green circus’ that travels the country brings its daredevil and sensational show to glorious Chiswick House. The Painted Wagon takes us back in time to the Wild West, featuring a gun-slinging, horse-wrangling, boot-stomping spectacle that’s guaranteed to entertain all the family. All ages. This weekend’s shows: 6pm (Thu), 5pm & 7.30pm (Fri), 11am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 11am, 2.30pm & 5pm (Sun) times vary by date, check web sites; adult £15-£29/child £10-£19 (Jun 30-Jul 18)
Thu-Sun: The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
LAST CHANCE: There are loads of celebrations of Roald Dahl’s centenary around the country, but the Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl must be one of the best. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore this vibrant, interactive journey into the mind, habits and inspirations of one of Britain’s best loved writers. Laugh, learn and listen at this tactile exhibition guaranteed to spark your imagination. For ages 7-12. 11am-3pm weekdays, 10am-6pm weekends (dates and times vary); adult £10/child £8 (until Jul 3)
Fri-Sat: The Greatest Spectacle of Lucha Libre at York Hall, 5 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PJ (Bethnal Green rail and tube/Cambridge Heath rail)
Lucha! Lucha! The masked and caped superheroes of Mexico return to the wrestling ring for another vibrant display of high kicks, throws, acrobatics and more. Bring your London kids along for the family friendly action, with additional performances, authentic Mexican grub and tequila cocktails for the grown ups. UK’s own Lucha Libre stars, the heroes of ‘Lucha Britannia’ go up against Brazilian capoeira master Zumbi, WWE wrestler Magno and many more. York Hall is right next to the V&A Museum of Childhood if you fancy making a whole day of it. 8pm; tickets from £20, family and group concessions available (Jul 1-2)
Fri-Mon: British Summer Time in Hyde Park, East Side of the park, W2 2UH (Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Green Park (step-free access), Lancaster Gate)
There’s no official Family Day this year for British Summer Time concert series, however you might still be able to blag tickets for acts like Take That, Massive Attack, Florence & the Machine and Stevie Wonder (actually forget Stevie, he was sold out weeks ago). You can also attend daily free activities in Hyde Park (from Mon-Thu), ranging from free open-air screenings of classic films, Wimbledon matches on the big screen, ping pong, badminton, trapeze workshops with Gorilla Circus and much more. All ages. Ticket prices and times vary for concerts; daily activities from 10am (Mon) or 8am (Tue-Thu) are FREE (Jul 1-10)
Sat: Burlington Gardens Festival at Royal Academy, 6 Burlington Gardens, W1S 3ET (Piccadilly Circus/Green Park/Oxford Circus tube)
It’s all happening at Royal Academy this weekend. First, it’s the launch of the long-awaited David Hockney RA: 82 Portraits and 1 Still Life exhibition (ongoing until Oct 2). If you haven’t managed to get tickets for the exhibition launch, you can still make your way down to the annual Burlington Gardens Festival, this year inspired by artist Yinka Shonibare whose design currently wraps the building while it undergoes works. The free summer party offers street theatre, artist installations, music, film screenings, food stalls, craft beer and an interactive samba parade. You can put your stamp on the silver ink wall or take part in the Family Portrait with You Make Me collective, inspired by Yinka Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax fabrics. And if you book your slot in the Artist’s Dining Room, you can enjoy a three-course Nigerian inspired menu. Yum! All ages welcome. 12pm-6pm, FREE, just show up (Jul 2)
Sat: Fab Fest: Family Festival at Ambika P3, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS (Baker St tube/Marylebone rail)
Curious kids and crafty sorts converge at Fab Fest, a brand new celebration of design and making, showcasing more than 50 pavilions that have been built from scratch by students from cardboard and other recyclable materials. Come along to the open day for families (Sat) where you can engage in robot-making, urban festival sketching, paper engineering and polystyrene modelling, mask making + later for grown-ups there’s free films, live music and more fun. 12-4pm (workshops), 5pm-9pm (film, music and talks); FREE but advanced booking recommended (Jul 2)
Sat-Sun: Away with the Faeries at Forty Hall & Estate, Forty Hill, Enfield, London EN2 9HA (Oakwood tube, Enfield Town, Enfield Chase or Southbury rail)
Carry your magical beings along to Forty Hall for a fanciful weekend celebrating the best of ‘faerie’ culture. London kids and parents are invited to take part in activities ranging from circus skills, to arts and crafts, to wellbeing and holistic therapies. 11am-9pm (Sat) & 10am-7pm (Sun); adult £8, child £6, family £25 (2x adults and 2x children under 16)/under 2s FREE (Jul 2-3)
Sun: Horniman Museum: Festa Julina, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Ready for Rio 2016? Get a taste of the action at this day-long affair inspired by Festa Junina (June Festival) one of Brazil’s most important festivals after Carnival, celebrating the corn harvest. Enjoy live music, Brazilian square dance, theatre and dance displays, traditional Brazilian games, giant Brazilian puppets, street art, tasty food, face decoration and much more. All ages. 12pm-6.30pm; FREE, drop-in (Jul 3)
We also like
Africa Writes at British Library is a three day celebration of African literature and writing, with some family friendly workshops (Fri-Sun); The Big Dance Festival kicks off with 1000 Londoners performing a major dance choreography by Akram Khan in Trafalgar Square (Sat); there’s a traffic-free day as Regent St Summer Streets returns with a Transport for London Festival (Sat); top restaurateurs host food stalls in the Soho Food Feast, raising money for Soho Parish Primary School (Sat-Sun); head to Fortune Green for their annual Jester Festival (Sat-Sun); there’s also a summer fete on Amwell St, N1 (Sun); the London Gelato Festival continues in Old Spitalfields Market (until Sun); and don’t miss the Harlequin Euro Festival in Devonshire Square, with free music and dance shows to celebrate European cultures, languages and folk traditions(ongoing until Jul 14)
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)
Howl’s Moving Castle (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jul 2)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Top Cat Begins at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jul 2)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Howl’s Moving Castle (PG) at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jul 2)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Alice in Wonderland at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jul 2)
Rio Cinema Saturday Morning Kids Club, 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston E8 (Dalston Junction/Dalston Kingsland overground)
Ratchet and Clank at 11am; Child £3/Adult £4 (Jul 2)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Angry Birds 2D 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) (Jul 2)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Sat, 4pm); Jurassic Park (Sun, 2.30pm) & The Lost World: Jurassic Park (Sun, 5.20pm); adult £11.75/child £4 (Jul 2-3)
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
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 6-Jan 8, 2017)
International Youth Arts Festival at Rose Theatre Kingston and surrounding (Jul 8-17)
Fun DMC at Brent Civic Centre (Jul 9)
Dad’s Breakfast Club: LEGO DC Justice League Special at CAU St Katherine Docks (Jul 9)
Bastille Day in Borough Market (Jul 10)
Something Happening for Kids Festival at The Place (Jul 16)
Finding Dory at London Aquarium (Jul 16-Sep 11)
Tales Big Day Out at Chickenshed Theatre (Jul 23)
The Fantastic World of Dr Seuss at Discover (from Jul 23-Sep 2017)
Finding Dory, on general release (Jul 29)
Telling Tales Family Literary Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe (Jul 29-31)
Kids Week 2016 (August 1-31)
Splash Fest at Battersea Park (Aug 7)
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
