London Kids Weekend Scoop September 15-18, 2016

 

 
Hello! It’s our first London Kids Weekend Scoop of the season and can you believe we’re already mid-way through September?

We’ve only just returned from our adventures in Italy, and it’s been a busy period with trips to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Cotswolds and coming this weekend Butlins Minehead to report on. Can’t wait to share all of that with you, in the meantime here’s what’s hot for families this weekend in London. Have a good one!

Thu-Sun: The Hogwallops: Lost in Translation Circus (top pic) at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
After a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this chaotic and comedic blend of circus, theatre, and storytelling swings into Jacksons Lane. Showcasing the misadventures of a family of misfits (based on Roald Dahl’s The Twits), prepare for tons of cooing, cackling and gasping by the minis at the dazzling aerial stunts, slapstick moves and floor acrobatics set to an original live score. For ages 3+. 7pm (Thu), 11am & 3pm (Sat-Sun); £12.95 (Sep 15-18)

 

 
Thu-Sun: Sail Royal Greenwich: Tall Ships Cruise sailing between Woolwich Royal Arsenal, Greenwich and Tower Bridge (Woolwich Royal Arsenal DLR, Tower Bridge tube, Greenwich rail)
Ahoy mateys! The Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Cruise returns this September in one of autumn’s most exciting spectacles. If you’re lucky enough to bag tickets, you can set sail from Greenwich past historic landmarks like Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College. The four day fiesta also includes FREE entertainment for all ages in the area including live music, parades, street entertainment and an explosive fireworks finale. This event is part of the Totally Thames Festival, taking place alongside the River Thames throughout September. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm; tickets from £39.50 (Sep 15-18)

Thu-Sun: Madame Tussauds presents the Sherlock Holmes Experience, Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LR (Baker St tube)
Just a little down the road from Sherlock Holmes’ fictional residence, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, Madame Tussauds is paying its own tribute to the detective of legend with a brand new permanent exhibition. Go on a theatrical live walkthrough adventure into the atmospheric basement of the museum, where you can find clues to the sleuth’s location while wearing his iconic deerstalker. The always exciting Les Enfants Terribles add extra mischief and invention to this experience with sound effects, illusion and a limited-run evening show-cum-investigative challenge – The Game’s Afoot. Expect lamp lit Victorian streets, misty moors and more than a few surprises! All ages welcome. Madame Tussauds is open 9.30am-5.30pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-6pm (Sat-Sun) – last daily show for Sherlock Holmes at 6.20pm; experience included with regular entry tickets from adult £23.79/child £20.65 (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
A mouse went into the woods one day and what did he find there? Tall Stories’ monster hit adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved picture book returns to Lyric Theatre for another run through summer and the Christmas theatre season. Follow the clever mouse on his journey as he encounters a variety of creatures leading, inevitably to his face off with the Gruffalo. But who will come out on top? Lots of fun, live music and mischief for ages 3+ (children ages 18 months+ require a ticket). 11am & 2pm (Tue-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun); from £14.50-£25.50/family ticket £65 (until Jan 8, 2017)

 

 
Sat: Highgate Fete: The Lark in the Park at Waterlow Park, near the tennis courts, Waterlow Road, N19 5NJ (Archway tube)
Come along to The Lark in the Park, celebrating the 125th anniversary of Highgate Village’s Waterlow Park. Kicking off with a brass-band procession, there’s tons to do including giant garden games, coconut shy, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, petting farm, tombola, food court, Pimm’s bar, pop-up theatre and the intriguingly named Human Fruit Machine! Also look out for special appearances from the Pearly King & Queen of King’s Cross & St Pancras. All ages. 12pm-4.30pm; FREE (Sep 17)

Sat: British Museum: Celebrating Chuseok/The Korean Harvest Moon Festival, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square/Holborn/Tottenham Court Rd/Goodge St tube)
My 17-year-old niece has been totally obsessed with Korean popular culture (e.g K-Pop and K-drama) for some years, and if you’re similarly inclined or would like to know more about this vibrant culture, you’re in for a treat. British Museum is hosting a special celebration of the Korean Harvest Moon Festival for all ages. There’ll be K-Pop performances, storytelling, a fab photo booth, workshops and music by the soloists of Jeong Ga Ak Hoe. All ages. 11am-4:30pm, FREE (Sep 17)

Sat: Bermondsey Street Festival, The Borough, Bermondsey Street, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
There’ll be everything from traditional Maypole Dancing to Afrobeat and skanking on the pavements and roads of Bermondsey this weekend, as the Bermondsey Street Festival takes over. Head down for live music on three stages, tons of delicious street food, artisan lagers and ciders, the dog show, craft and arts stalls and more. All ages. 11am-6pm, FREE (Sep 17)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Open House Junior, multiple venues
The hugely popular Open House London is back, giving visitors from far and wide a rare glimpse behind closed doors of London’s most interesting architecture. Open House Junior is the family friendly programme run by the City of London Architects every year. Fun things to do with junior builders include creating your own future skyline at City Hall (Sat 11am-3pm); making replicas of London buildings with Scale up the City at RIBA (Sun 11am-4pm); going on a photography treasure hunt with Structurally Found (Sat-Sun) and lots more. You can also find activities for kids at landmarks like Westminster Abbey, the Gherkin and Brixton Windmill. Check the web site link for the full list of buildings and activities. Daily from 10am, FREE (Sep 17-18)

Sun: Royal Academy Family Studios: Never Ending Stories at Royal Academy, John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
As part of Open House London, Royal Academy throws open its doors for an architecture session in the company of kids and adults of any age. The workshop is inspired by the Peter Cook RA: Floating Ideas retrospective, and you can join in by helping to create a contemporary metropolis, using a variety of materials available. All ages. 11am-3pm, FREE (Sep 18)

Sun: National Portrait Gallery Family Workshop: Celebrating Roald Dahl with Storytelling and Chocolate, St Martin’s Place (off Trafalgar Square), WC2H 0HE (Charing Cross tube)
Where did master storyteller Roald Dahl get his ideas? Come and celebrate the Dahl centenary and the magic of story making, sweetie creations and more with National Portrait Gallery at this series of interactive workshops. Learn about his life and inspirations, play with props from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical, and enter to win a family ticket to the show + an overnight stay at a top London hotel! Drop in for 1 hour sessions for ages 3+ (between 12pm-3.30pm) and 7+ (3pm-4pm); FREE (Sep 18)

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)
The Secret Life of Pets (U) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Sep 17)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Swallows & Amazons at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Sep 17)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Sep 17)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Coraline at 11.30am; £1.75 (Sep 17)

Rich Mix Kids Cine Time, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Paddington (PG) at 12pm; £1.75 (Sep 17)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (U, suitable for ages 6+); adult £11.75/child £4 (Sep 17)

Coming Soon

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Finding Dory 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) (Sep 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!

Don’t miss our 16 Awesome Things to do in Autumn!