Happy February! It’s birthday season and Birthday Month for our Aquarian brood so we’ll be celebrating with some lovely gifts coming up as well as top picks for family things to do in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Half term is just around the corner too, so stay tuned for our guide out next week!
Thu-Sat: Fantastic Mr Fox at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
He’s smart, sassy and more than a little bit fantastic, but not everybody loves Mr Fox — least of all the foul farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. They’re out to ensnare him and his loved ones, but Mr Fox is clever enough to come up with a plan that will save the day. But will Rabbit give the game away? Fantastic Mr Fox is a flagship musical adaptation set to delight audiences at Lyric Hammersmith, bringing Dahl’s beloved characters to the stage in gloriumptious fashion. For ages 5+. 1pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pmmatinees; 7pm (Tue, Fri & Sat), 7.30pm (Wed, Thu) – NB dates and times vary, check site. Extra matinees available in half-term. Tickets £15-£40. (Jan 25-Feb 19)
Thu-Sun: Babe the Sheep Pig at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: A pig who thinks he’s a sheepdog? A family book-turned-film favourite makes its way to the stage at this Polka Theatre adaptation of the story of Babe, the sheep pig. When the piglet arrives at Hogget’s Farm, he discovers hidden talents and soon makes a name for himself, but can Babe not only win over the sheep but save the farm from danger? Every hog has his day in this charming production packed with puppetry, original music and lots of laughs. For ages 5 to 11. Varying times (Wed-Sun), £18.50 (Nov 25-Feb 5, 2017)
Thu-Sun: Picasso Portraits at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place (off Trafalgar Square), WC2H 0HE (Charing Cross tube)
LAST CHANCE: The National Portrait Gallery’s much hyped exhibition explores one of the best known mavericks of modern art’s work, in a breathtaking range of portraits featuring family, friends and lovers. Babies and kids will enjoy gawping at silly looking caricatures and playful takes on Cubism, and this Sunday (Oct 16) tiny hands can take part in The Big Draw family drawing workshop inspired by Picasso Portraits. Advance booking strongly recommended. All ages. adult £17/concs £15.50/child under 12 FREE (Oct 6-Feb 5)
Thu-Sun: Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
Following on from a hugely successful run in 2017, Magical Lantern Festival returns to illuminate Chiswick House and Gardens. Stroll through the magical setting, enchanted by light sculptures of birds, animals, and striking scenes. For Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017 there’s a special theme – ‘Explore the Silk Road’ – featuring oversized lantern scenes highlighting this significant trade and culture route from Europe to Ancient China.. Throughout the festival you can tuck into yummy food and enjoy live music, virtual reality gaming, Chinese bamboo lantern riddles, ice rink, mini funfair and more. All ages. 5pm-10pm (Thu-Sun) & daily during Feb half-term; adult £16.50-£20/child £10.50-£14/family £50-£64 (Jan 19-Feb 26)
Sat-Sun: Directing Dobby at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
My boy Ezra was heartbroken when Dobby died in the Harry Potter movies, so he’ll be thrilled to see the sweet house-elf brought back to life in this interactive event at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. offers visitors a chance to try motion capture with a display that allows them to see Dobby reflecting their own movements in real time. You can also see the artistry that went into the creation of Dobby’s model used in CGI shooting scenes (he was hand-painted down to the veins in his eyes!). Look up and you’ll also spot Dobby in the window of No. 4 Privet Drive, Harry’s childhood home that will be reopened specially for the occasion. Magical fun for your whole brood. All ages. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £37-£39/child from £29-£31/family £118-£126/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Feb 4-Mar 31)
Sat-Sun: The Iron Man at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
The brilliant and beloved tale by Ted Hughes that has captured the imaginations not only of readers, but animators who turned the story into the Iron Giant movies, comes to Unicorn Theatre in a vibrant new adaptation. An alien machine drops into a field and struggles to make sense of the foreign environment, while chewing up tractors and other mechanical ‘food’. Under threat from those that don’t understand him, he’s befriended by a boy who might just be the answer to his uncertain future in the weird place we call earth. Thoughtful, funny and moving, The Iron Man is brought to life with stop-motion animation, puppets and paper-cut silhouettes. For ages 8+ and families. 11am & 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun); adult £12/child £8 (until Mar 5)
Sat-Sun: St Pancras Open Weekend, Granary Square and St Pancras Lock, N1C 4PL (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Head to King’s Cross this Saturday & Sunday for the St Pancras Open Weekend to discover more about this fascinating and heritage rich part of London. As the lock gates are changed, there’s a party atmosphere on the canal with a one-off gig in the lock itself (Sat Feb 4 6-9pm) plus a range of talks, tours and family fun activities throughout the day. You can hear more about Regent’s Canal and St Pancras Locks from experts, take a canal boat ride on the Hidden Depths boat, even climb up the Grade II listed Water Tower for stunning views around King’s Cross and beyond. Partner boat Jena will also host kids activities on board throughout the day. All ages. 10am-4pm, FREE (Feb 4-5)
Sun: Disco Loco Big Balloon Bonanza, at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
The lovely folk at Disco Loco are throwing a Big Balloon Bonanza, in what would be a perfect gathering for our Birthday weekend too! Head to east London for 3 hours of beats, balloon pit and big tunes from DJs Earl Gateshead (Trojan Sound System), Emilia Harmony, Toby Kidd and the Reverend Milo Speedwagon. Host MC Chu-i keeps things lively and there are games, prizes, licensed bar, food stalls and more on offer. A fun time for all the family, including babies ages 6 months and up. 3-6pm, £3 per person adv/door, non-walkers FREE (Feb 5)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Grab your partner once again for this family friendly hoe-down, aimed at anyone from mums with bugs in baby carriers to granddads who are ready to dos-a-dos and figure of 8. There’s a live caller telling you what to do and a live band to keep everybody moving. All ages. Advanced booking recommended to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Feb 5)
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: Laura’s Star (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jan 21)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Enchanted at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jan 21)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Phantom Boy at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jan 21)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Moana at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jan 21)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Preview: The LEGO Batman Movie from 12pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 5)
COMING SOON
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever Season, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
My Neighbour Totoro at 12.30pm; £7.50 non-member/£5 member (Feb 12)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Moana at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Feb 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!
DON’T MISS: Our guide to 17 Things to Look Forward to in 2017
20 Questions for Ezra on his 11th Birthday
