London Kids Weekend Scoop (January 12-15, 2017)

 

 
Thunder-snow warnings notwithstanding, there’s lots of lovely stuff on for families in our first London Kids Weekend Scoop of 2017. Brave the Puppet Barge Theatre for a charming adaptation of The Red Balloon or make the most of the icy conditions at the last Skate at Somerset House. Wrap up warm and have a ball. Happy weekend!

Thu-Sun: Roundhouse & the Royal Ballet present Zoo Nation: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
After a sell-out run at Royal Opera House in 2014, the fantastic Zoo Nation reimagines this hip hop ‘ballet’ for the Roundhouse space. Patients at the Institution for Extremely Normal Behaviour, all claim to come from a place called Wonderland. They throw a never-ending tea party, only interrupted by doctor Ernest who’s trying to bring some therapy into the mix. Prepare for mind-blowing moves, eye-popping scenes and nostalgic good times. Another cracking show! 7.30pm (Tue-Sat and some Mons), 2.30pm matinees (Sats and some Weds), 5pm (Sun); from £15-£35/child under 16 25% discount/family of 4 £30 off full price tickets (Jan 22)

Thu-Sun: Skate at Somerset House at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
LAST CHANCE: London’s coolest rink offers a glamorous backdrop against which to cut the ice and a host of popular DJs on rotation. Spin your little ones around or sign them up for the Skate School for beginners or the Polar Cub Club for under 8s. If you’re just there for the spectacle, why not hang out in the Fortnum’s Lodge for food and hot drinks, or pick up a gift or two in the Fortnum’s Christmas arcade. Skate sessions last an hour between 8.45am (select dates) to 11.30pm; tickets from £7.50 (until Jan 15)

Thu-Sun: Cinderella at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
LAST CHANCE: A star-studded cast takes over the West End’s most celebrated theatre for the first panto at the Palladium in almost 30 years. Highlights of this show include sumptuous costumes, spectacular scenery and an unmissable transformation when our humble maid swaps her rags for a ball gown. Oh yeah, and not to forget Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary, Amanda Holden, Lee Mead and Nigel Havers – just some of the names amongst the acting team. Various days and times including 7.30pm & 2.30pm matinee shows; £19.50-£75(Dec 9-Jan 15)

 

 
Fri: Little Angel Theatre: Me, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Follow the journey of a tiny baby penguin who is just learning to find her feet. Little Angel Theatre’s gentle adaptation of the muck loved picture book by Emma Dowd features shimmering stars, glistening snow, towering mountains and a plucky little hero. Special early years show recommended for ages 2 to 6, but all ages admitted (kids ages 1 and over need their own tickets). 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm (Fri), 10am & 11.30am (Sat-Sun – this weekend Sat & Sun shows SOLD OUT but look for returns); adult £12/child £10 (until Jan 29)

Fri-Sun: Nordic Matters at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
What’s so cool about those Scandi folks? Is it that Denmark is rated the happiest spot on earth? Or that the best places to be a woman are apparently Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Finland? Delve into Nordic art and culture at this year-long festival, where you can explore fine art, fashion, dance, literature, design, food and music from the countries that gave us Bjork, ABBA, saunas and the art of hygge. On the official launch weekend this Friday through Sunday, there’s learning through play with LEGO, flat pack hacking and secrets of cinnabun making. It’s also an excellent time to check out the immersive exhibition Adventures in Moominland (until Apr 23), exploring the life and work of world famous Finnish author Tove Jansson. Various times and prices, many activities FREE. (from Jan 13-ongoing)

 

 
Sat: Junk Puppets at National Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Fly away to Neverland in your imagination, to recreate an epic expedition using domestic and recycled items. Inspired by the current production of Peter Pan, you’re invited to design and make puppets and learn how to bring them to life. For ages 6 to 12 and and adult (at least 1 adult per 3 kids max, younger ones not admitted). 11am-1pm & 2.30pm-4.30pm; adult £5/child £3 (Jan 14 & 28)

Sat: Wigmore Hall Family Concert: The Fairy Queen, 36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP (Bond St/Oxford Circus tube)
Box Tale Soup theatre group join forces with singers from world-renowned choir The Sixteen to reimagine Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for younger ones. Discover a world of enchantment and mishaps in an interactive concert using music from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, featuring puppetry and theatrical elements. For ages 6+ and families. 11am; adult £10/child £8 (Jan 14)

Sat: Maths on Toast at St Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Community maths group Maths on Toast seems to have found the right balance of teaching kids about numbers while keeping it fun for all the family. These creative maths sessions held every 2nd Saturday at St Pancras Square Library give kids and their adults a chance to construct, colour, play games and engage with the building blocks of maths in a relaxed and friendly environment. Ages 5-12. 2-5pm, FREE (every second Saturday of the month, ongoing)

Sat-Sun: Puppet Theatre Barge: The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon is one of the sweetest, most heartbreakingly beautiful films that you can watch with your kids. Now you can see the acclaimed film by Albert Lamorisse adapted for the Puppet Theatre Barge’s Winter/Spring season production. Stringed puppets and music tell the story of a little boy and his friendship with a balloon. Simply magical. 11am & 3pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); (Jan 14-Feb 12)

Sat-Sun: Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green Tube)
Ludo, Chess, Snakes and Ladders, Battleships… and other family feuding fuel will be represented at this broad exhibition spanning the history of board games. Check out what brothers and sisters, mums and dads squabbled over back in the Victorian era or Georgian times, and get nostalgic over some of your own childhood favourites. You can even borrow to play with family and mates right there at the museum, or become part of a huge interactive game directing visitors around the exhibition. All ages. 10am-5.45pm (daily, last admission 5.30pm); FREE (Oct 8-Apr 23, 2017)

 

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)
Framed Film Club: Liz Pichon Presents – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jan 14)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Robinson Crusoe at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jan 14)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Asterix and Obelix: Mansion of the Gods (PG) at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jan 14)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The BFG at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jan 14)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Boy with Green Hair (U – adv. 8+) at 4.10pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jan 14)

COMING SOON

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
The BFG at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Jan 29)

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 guide to 17 Things to Look Forward to in 2017