Hard to believe it’s one of the last London Kids Weekend Scoop editions of the year, with just a couple more before Christmas! We have a packed schedule of family fun listed for you, from children’s theatre to Christmas movies and fun workshops. Make the most of this time before the sprint to December 25!
Thu-Sun: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Back by popular demand, after a smash-hit West End and international season. Go with the daring family on their quest to find a grizzly, wading through swishy swashy grass, splishy splashy river and of course that oozy, squelchy mud. Michael Rosen’s award-winning picture book has found a new following on stage in this show with lots of interaction, catchy tunes and some surprises! Ages 3+. Varying times including 10am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm (weekdays), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); £8-£14.50 (Dec 7-Jan 2)
The Cat in the Hat at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Rd, Islington N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd tube)
Watch out, there’s a mischievous kitty about in this warm and wacky adaptation of Dr Seuss’s globally famous picture book. Sally and Tom spot a cool cat in a tall stripy hat and it completely changes their rainy afternoon, but what will they tell mum when she comes home? Catch this acclaimed show first produced at National Theatre. For ages 3+. 10.30am & 1.30pm, 11am & 2pm: £7-£12.50 (Dec 6-Jan 2)
Thu-Sun: Kiki’s Delivery Service at Southwark Playhouse, Newington Causeway, SE1 6BD (Elephant & Castle/Borough tube)
We adore the Studio Ghibli animated adaptation of Japanese author Eiko Kadono’s award-winning kids’ book, so we’re very excited for this new production. A tale of magic and coming of age sees 13-year-old witch Kiki fly away from home to find her own destiny. She discovers a new place to spread her wings and use her powers for the greater good. Ages 7+. 3pm & 7.30pm; adult £20/child under 16 & concs £16/preview tickets £12/family £64 (Dec 8-Jan 8)
(FIND MORE CHRISTMAS SHOWS IN OUR LONDON CHRISTMAS THEATRE GUIDE)
Thu-Sun: Pop Up Screens Christmas Movies at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios Amhurst Terrace E8 2BT (Rectory Rd/Hackney Downs rail)
Pop Up Screens, one of London’s leading open-air and pop up cinema providers, is back at Hackney Showroom with another seasonal showcase of movies to put you in that Christmas mood. Enter through the wardrobe to discover a winter wonderland filled with snow (yes snow!) and some fab films, plus mulled wine, hot chocolate, brownies and delicious popcorn. Showing this week: Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and The Grinch! Doors 7.30pm/films 8.30pm; adult £20/child under 10 £10/family £50 (Dec 8-18)
Fri-Sun 1940s Candlelit Tours at Forty Hall & Estate, Forty Hall & Estate, Forty Hill, Enfield, London EN2 9HA (Oakwood tube, Enfield Town, Enfield Chase or Southbury rail)
Experience a vintage Christmas at the hall in this after-dark tour of the historic house. Fictional character Henry Jones and a surprise guest will take you back in time to the 1940s and wartime, as well as bringing you back to the present, and of course Christmas future. Hear the air raid sirens ring out and calls of ‘turn out the lights’ before the candles are lit. Glass of mulled wine included in admission fee. 6.30pm, 7.15pm & 8pm (Fri), 5pm, 6.30pm & 7.15pm (Sat-Sun); £12 (Dec 9-11)
Sat: John Hegley Children’s Workshop at 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground, Hampstead/Belsize Park tube)
The popular wordsmith hosts a special workshop for children and families, inspired by the kind of stuff John Keats liked to get up to in his spare time. This includes things like sword fighting with celery, drawing and of course writing the odd poem or two. For ages 8+, must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-12.30pm; adult £6/child £5
Sat: Illustrator’s Christmas Fair 2016 by House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross London N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Granary Square is transformed into an illustrator’s grotto where nearly 100 of the best contemporary illustrators and collectives will showcase their wares in time for Christmas gift shopping. There will be a wide range of prints, posters, artist books, ceramics and badges to choose from, and that’s just for starters. Great time to bring the kids, enjoy the buzz of Granary Square, wander around the House of Illustration’s latest exhibits and pick up something special for a loved one. 11am-6pm, FREE (Dec 10)
Sat: Fun DMC: Xmas Double Header & Market at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Christmas in London gets a funkier twist with this one-off event for hip hop heads and their nippaz. The daytime block party for groovers of all ages runs a dance-floor session with their usual beats, accessories, hip hop colouring sheets and more good stuff. For Xmas, there’s also a mini Christmas market with stalls from Nippaz With Attitude, Kid Fury Club, The Mini Edit & FUN DMC. If that’s not enough, Hip Hop Santa will be giving out bags for the kids to take home. 10am-12.30pm & 1pm-3.30pm; adult £13/child £7/pre-walkers FREE (Dec 10)
Sat-Sun: The Muppet Christmas Carol at 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Tickets are flying for the Prince Charles Cinema’s biggest Christmas event. Catch Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang in this glitzy, ditzy, musical remake of Charles Dickens’ celebrated Christmas story. This Sing-Along edition features a hosted pre-show where you’ll be told what to do to take part, along with a costume contest. So come dressed as your favourite character or don your cheesiest Christmas jumpers – prizes up for grabs! Best for ages 3+. Screening times vary weekly, this weekend: 3.55pm & 6.20pm (Sat); 3.10pm & 9pm (Sun); £13.50/£11 members (Dec 10-24)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Jingle Bell Family Rave at The Mangle E8 Nightclub, 2-18 Warburton Rd, E8 3FN (London Fields rail/Hackney Central overground)
We’re extra excited to party with the BFLF family ravers at Selfridges this Christmas (tickets for the Selfridges gigs are SOLD OUT), but this Jingle Bell Rave also sounds like a cracker. Slip into your party hats and dresses for a festive edition of Big Fish Little Fish featuring DJ Andy Turner (Plaid) dishing out the dance floor wonders, plus all the usual fun including giant balloons, glitter cannons, bubbles, parachute dance finale. Plus a snow machine! Captain Cookie is running the kids craft tables, there’s a babies only soft play area, toddler play zone, licensed bar, cake stalls and book early for bottomless brunch with prosecco (12pm-6pm) in the restaurant upstairs. For ages 0-8 and their grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Dec 11)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Mosey on down to Cecil Sharp House for the last Family Barn Dance of 2016. You’ll be tapping your toes, making figure of eights and swinging your partner with aplomb by the end of this lively session, led by a caller and band. These family friendly dances blending folk and country moves are suitable for all ages, even babies in carriers. Advanced booking recommended to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Dec 11)
Sun: Christmas with Pooh Bear and Friends at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Head to the wonderful Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury for this special Christmas meet-up with beloved children’s storybook characters. In this concert for all the family, David Owen Norris and Amanda Pitt will perform pieces from Winnie the Pooh, the Wind in the Willows and Edward Lear. Later, you can create story lanterns illustrated with pictures from Wind in the Willows or Winnie the Pooh, a fun decoration to take home. Concert at 1pm, £4-£5/child under 10 FREE; lanterns workshop at 2.15pm, FREE. Separate admission fees for viewing permanent collections + exhibition. (Dec 11)
We also like
Westminster Abbey: Christmas for Families sounds like an unmissable afternoon of carol singing, crafting and a Christmas story tour (Sat); take the babes for a Children’s Christmas Party at Benjamin Franklin House (Sat); the annual Winter Fair at King Henry’s Walk Garden is a popular place to buy affordable gifts (Sat); become part of a giant game of chess in Checkmate interactive family tour at V&A Museum of Childhood (Sat)
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)
Swallows and Amazons (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Dec 10)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
The Secret Life of Pets at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Dec 10)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
The Witches (PG) at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Dec 10)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
A Christmas Story at 11.30am; £1.75 (Dec 10)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Family Funday: The Nightmare Before Christmas. Funday workshop 11am & Film at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Dec 11)
Coming Soon
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Storks at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Dec 18)
Check out our Parent & Baby cinema guide and our picks for Top 150 Family Films
DON’T MISS: Our guide to Christmas in London: 30 COOLEST Things to do with Kids
Sleeping Beauty | Hackney Empire Panto 2016
