Birthday Month is sadly coming to its close, but there’s still plenty to look forward to in London with kids this weekend. And wouldn’t you know it, Pancake Day is just around the corner, so why not take a look at our guide to the best pancakes in London? Happy weekend all!

What to do in London with Kids this weekend

 
Thu: The Scummy Mummies, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Strictly for ages 16+, but worth a mention here if you can book a babysitter for the evening, the Scummy Mummies bring their brand of raucous and real humour to Arts Depot for one night only. As seen at Camp Bestival and other festivals, comedians Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson take a fun pop at parenting, with songs, stories and sketches covering everything from farting to fish fingers. Based on the UK Number 1 Kids & Family podcast. 7.30pm; £10/£9 (Feb 23)

Thu & Sat: Pirates of Penzance at London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Covent Garden tube)
Pitiful pirates, blundering bobbies and a fully grown 5 year old, Pirates of Penzance is a swashbuckling musical revival of award winning filmmaker Mike Leigh’s hit production. From the Police Sergeant’s patter to the tongue-twisting model of a modern Major General, the Gilbert & Sullivan mock opera is crammed with catchy songs, zany humour and enough spectacle to thrill old and young. For ages 5+ (younger visitors will not be admitted). 3pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 7.30pm (Thu & select Tue); tickets from £12/under 16s half price (Feb 9-Mar 25)

 

 
Thu-Sun: Free Harry Potter Tours in London, Leicester Square (meeting points between M&M’s World & LEGO Store), WC2 (Leicester Square tube)
Are you Hogwarts mad? Do you want to find something new and fun to do in London with kids aka your fantastic beasts? Why not join a FREE Harry Potter tour around the capital led by one of the experts at Strawberry Tours. Meet in Leicester Square to begin your journey past iconic buildings, streets and neighbourhoods that inspired JK Rowling or featured in the Harry Potter flicks. Stroll down Diagon Alley and discover where you can find Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, or even Dumbledore’s favorite: Sherbert Lemons! Meeting point is between the M&M’s World & Lego Store in Leicester Square, just look for the guide with the Strawberry umbrella. All ages welcome, although please note that tours last 2 and a half hours. 3.30pm, daily, FREE to join (tours available on a pay what it’s worth basis to suit everyone’s budget). Pre booking recommended on +44 (0)207 859 4996 (daily, ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
LAST CHANCE: 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 (until Feb 26)

Thu-Sun: House of Illustration: The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots, Two 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Head to House of Illustration in King’s Cross to experience the 2nd major exhibition in the new Quentin Blake Gallery showcasing original artwork by Quentin Blake. After the recent rediscovery of the Beatrix Potter manuscript, the exhibition features Blake’s 50 illustrations for the book, plus a sketchbook and reference material. You can also see the original Beatrix Potter manuscript and one of Potter’s only two illustrations for the book, on loan from the V&A. 10am-6pm; £4-£8.25 (until Feb 26)

Thu-Sun: The Snail and the Whale at London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
LAST CHANCE: Love going underwater with the sea creatures at Sea Life London Aquarium? Here’s one more reason to visit this top attraction: you can take part in the new interactive trail inspired by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s The Snail and The Whale. Meet a Giant African Land snail and decorate your own ‘Snail Rock’ with a ‘Save The Whale’ message for display in our centre. All activities in support of marine wildlife conservation. From 10am daily; adult from £20.40 online/child discounts available, prebooking advised (until Feb 28)

 

 
Fri-Sun: The London Loom: Japanese Weaving Class, 274 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ (Hoxton overground/Old St tube)
Try something different in London with kids this weekend at The London Loom’s workshop that’s open to mini crafters too. This specialist studio is hosts a variety of 2 hour classes teaching the traditional art of weaving with a simple two pedal floor loom. This weekend you can pick up technique of Japanese Freestyle Weaving, including preparing yarn and choosing your own colours and textures. Handcrafts are great for coordination and after this fun creative session adults and kids can take home either a wall hanging or a small purse or bag that they’ve made themselves! Ages 6+, all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Morning sessions from 10am & 11am, afternoon from 12pm-4pm, evening from 5pm to 8pm; £60 for 2 hours (Feb 24-Mar 31)

Sat: Much Ado about Puffin at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
This Saturday head west to Lyric Hammersmith for their latest production from Open Attic set on the high seas. Follow a lonely man on his encounter with a friendly puffin, and what turns out to be a whole lot of fuss over not very much at all. Enchanting theatre for ages 4 to 11 and their grownups. Why not treat yourself to lunch in west London with kids deal of £6 and adults £12 including a cheeky beer or glass of wine? Shows at 11am & 1pm; £8 (Feb 25)

 
Sat: Big Howard’s LOL-tastic Yukfest For Kids and Well-Trained Adults at Canada Water Culture Space, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR
Meet Howard, a massive kid with a big hairy moustache. Despite his size, he’s full of fun, creating pictures, animations, noises and more to make you giggle. Starring one of the regulars on Comedy Club 4 Kids, also featured on CBBC with Little Howard and CBBC’s The Slammer, this show mixes sound effects, clever nonsense, digital animation and stand-up comedy. For ages 5+. 1pm & 3pm, £7/family £24 (Feb 25)

Sat: Family Day: Festival of Maps at British Library, (Entrance Hall), 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (Kings Cross St Pancras & Euston tube/rail)
Take a trip down to the handsome haunts of the British Library for a great day in London with kids, dedicated to maps, charts and discovery. Inspired by the current exhibition Maps and the 20th Century: Drawing the Line, kids and adults alike are invited to chart, look, make, sign, touch and explore. The full programme of activities at the Festival of Maps is hosted by everyone from the British Origami Society to Arsenal Football Club! Book ahead to visit the exhibition to avoid disappointment. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm; FREE (Feb 25)

Sat: SoundHoppers Family Workshop at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
SoundHoppers, the sound exploration playgroup, presents two special sessions of creativity with sound media. Kids are encouraged to play and make a racket using micro-synths and other devices to discover the possibilities of sound creation. Workshop is part of sound is sound is sound at The Albany. For ages 5 to 11, parents encouraged to join in. 3pm & 4.30pm; FREE but booking recommended (Feb 25)

 

 
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Techno Special, The Mangle (basement), 13-18 Sidworth Street, London Fields, E8 3SD (London Fields rail/Hackney Central overground)
As they get ready to embark on their Camp Bestival warm-up tour of the country, Big Fish Little Fish continue their dominance of the family rave scene with this Techno Special. Come for house, hip hop, old skool, garage, electro and techno classics spun by Plex DJs, suitable for all hot steppers from teeny twisters to old-time ravers. Warning: BFLF raves are quick to sell out, so grab your tix while you can. Beyond the dance floor you can enjoy crafting with Captain Cookie, Villa Pia baby chill out space, licensed bar and food stalls. Also free glowstick and transfer tattoos, colouring mural, licensed bar, giant balloons, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. For ages 0-8 and their grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Feb 26)

London with 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: Kirikou and the Men and the Women (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Feb 25)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Cars at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Feb 25)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Blinky Bill the Movie at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Feb 25)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Pete’s Dragon at 11.30am; £1.75 (Feb 25)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Love Bug at 12.45pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 26)

Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever Season, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Howl’s Moving Castle at 12pm; £8 member/£5.50 non-member/£3 child (Feb 26)

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)

Booking Ahead

Pancake Day in London with Kids (Feb 28)
Art of the Brick: DC Super Heroes (Mar 1)
Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound (Mar 4)
Somerset House Family Workshop: History, Mystery & Futures Foretold (Mar 4)
An American in Paris (Mar 4)
Disco Loco Crazy Cat Carnival (Mar 5)
WOW Women of the World at Southbank Centre (Mar 7-14)
Fun DMC with Jazzie B (Mar 12)
Mwalimu Express African family adventure at Rich Mix (Mar 19)