London Kids Weekend Scoop (March 9-12, 2017)

 

 
A Zoo Nation workshop in Camden, a Holi paint throwing party in the city, dance theatre, family friendly classical concerts, arts workshops and more in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Get involved!
 

What to do in London with Kids this weekend

 
Thu-Sun: Cinnamon Kitchen: House of Holi, 9 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YL (Bank tube/Liverpool St tube, rail)
It’s back! Come and have some Holi fun in the pop-up paint pod outside Cinnamon Kitchen. Gather your family and/or a group of friends, slip into your protective white suits and get your splash on to mark the Indian festival of colour (announcing the arrival of spring). It’s officially Holi day on March 13 but the paint party’s happening this week and next, 30 minutes per session. If you’ve worked up an appetite, you can enjoy some Holi bites and special cocktail/mocktail or Kingfisher beer (£15), or dig in for a delicious spread at Cinnamon Kitchen for £38 per person (includes Play Holi session). All ages welcome although take special care with little ones (especially that the powder doesn’t get in their eyes) — also protective suits are only in adult size so make sure they’re not wearing their Sunday best! 2pm to 2.30pm then every hour until 7pm-7.30pm (Mon-Fri); 12pm-12.30pm then every hour until 7pm-7.30pm (Sat); 12pm-12.30pm then every hour until 4pm-4.30pm (Sun); £8 per person/£15 including nibbles and drinks/£38 including 5-course Holi menu (Mar 7-18)

Thu-Sun: Art of the Brick: DC Super Heroes, Upper Ground, South Bank, (right behind National Theatre and the BFI, and next door to the Rambert Ballet Company), SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
After its original outing on Brick Lane, the Art of the Brick presents a special DC Super Heroes edition on the South Bank, featuring 120+ creations made with 2 million+ LEGO bricks. All your faves are represented: Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern and more, plus super baddies like The Joker crafted brick by brick by artist Nathan Sawaya. Gawp at a life size LEGO Batmobile, or catch the Man of Steel transformed into a Man of Bricks soaring above your head. Visit the exhibition in a purpose built tent on Upper Ground, right behind National Theatre and the BFI, and next door to the Rambert Ballet Company. All ages welcome. From 10am daily; adult £16.50/child age 4-16 £11/under 4s FREE (from Mar 1)

 

 
Fri: Zoo Nation: Kids Hip Hop Dance Workshop at St Marys Hall & Gym Hall, Cavendish School, 31 Inverness Street, NW1 7HB
London’s most exciting hip hop dance theatre company are joining forces with family concierge My Culture Club to host a one off dance workshop. Mini movers can get their swerve on (as well as their popping, locking, breakin’, house and other steps) as their teacher takes them through styles inspired by the Mad Hatters’ Tea Party. This is one family dance experience not to be missed! Ages 4+. Group A 3.45pm-4.45pm; Group B 4pm-5pm; £9 advanced booking only (Mar 10)

Fri-Sun: Move it Dance Weekend at ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL (Prince Regent (for ExCel) DLR)
Join 24,000+ dancers at ExCel London for the annual celebration and showcase of one of mankind’s favourite art forms. Every year, dancers, teachers and performers from all genres are called to ‘Move It’, bringing the best in hip hop, ballet, tap, street, jazz, Flamenco, Bollywood and other forms. You can watch pop-up performances, take part in dance workshops and leave with a smile on your face and a boogie in your step. New this year is the Dance Championships, a contest to discover dynamic new talent, judged by the likes of Jennifer Ellison (Dance Mums) and Marlon ‘Swoosh’ Wallen of Flawless. Varying times; adult day pass £15.95, 2-days £26.90, 3-days £39.50/child day pass £11.95, 2 days £19.90, 3 days £29.50/family day pass £12.25 each, 2-days £83.20, 3 days £122.40 (Mar 10-12)

 

 
Fri-Sun: Polka Theatre: A Square World, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Three playmates are happy as anything until their daily routine changes. They have a lot of fun (and mayhem) figuring out how to adapt their square world so they can maintain their friendship. Director, performer and disability advocate Daryl Beeton’s non-verbal performance is built to break barriers. He puts a playful spin on the unfairness of being the odd one out in a world that seems to fit everybody else but you. For ages 3-6. 10.35am, 1.05pm (Fri), 12.30pm & 2.35pm (Sat), 11.30am & 2.35pm (Sun); £12.50/£9 concs (Mar 10-12)

Sat: Grant Museum of Zoology: Creature Creations, Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square/Warren St tube)
Step into the wild and rather weird experience of the Grant Museum of Zoology where you can get up close and personal with beastly specimens from the relatively mild, to the crazy ferocious. This family friendly workshop invites visitors to create your own piece of art, either from your imagination, or taking inspiration from one of the creatures in their catalogue. 1.30pm-4.30pm; FREE (Mar 11)

Sat: Maths on Toast at St Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Maths on Toast is a community maths collective that are dedicated to bringing out the fun in figures particularly for young kids and their grownups. Each second Saturday of the month, you can meet the bunch at St Pancras Square Library for a stimulating workshop that allows you to get creative with colour, construction and games, in a maths positive environment. Ages 5-12. 2pm-5pm, FREE (every second Saturday of the month, ongoing)

Sat: Mini Maestro Family Concert at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross tube)
Welcome to another wonderful early years session of music in a real concert setting, led by the London Symphony Orchestra. This week, the focus is on baroque music and there’s tons to appreciate including Handel’s vivacious violins and champion cello, Bach’s bustling duet for violin and oboe, Pachelbel’s copy-cat canon with a trio of violins, and other instruments. All ages, best for 5+. 4.30pm; adult £10/child £8 (Mar 11)

 

 
Sun: Arts Depot: Getting Dressed, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Submerge your senses in an enchanting world of texture, colour and motion in this production from Second Hand Dance. Choreographer Rosie Heafford works with artists, dancers and members of the public, encouraging us to express our creativity through clothing and to try on different styles of dressing. Playful and thought provoking theatre for ages 4 to 7 and their families. 11am & 2pm; £8 (Mar 12)

Sun: Jacksons Lane: Moonfall, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Take a trip to the heavens with a princess about to embark on the greatest journey known to man, a voyage to the moon. But how far can she get? Gender stereotypes are challenged and barriers smashed in this adventurous and very funny tale for ages 4+. A work in progress blending aerial circus and physical theatre from Hikapee. 3pm; £9 (Mar 12)

 

 
Sun: Parasol Unit Family Art Workshop: In Search of the Real Me, 14 Wharf Road, N1 7RW (Angel/Old St tube)
The wonderful Parasol Unit hosts another family friendly workshop allowing young ones and their parents to create and explore through a variety of media. This week you can join artist/educator Flora Duley in making a representation of your own image using collage techniques, inspired by colour palettes from the ongoing exhibition by Tschabalala Self. Ages 5+. 2.30pm-4pm; £7 per family, advanced booking required (Mar 12)

Sun:Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Partner up with your husband, friend or even your baby (in a baby carrier) at this family friendly dance party. Step lively to the sounds of an on-site band and a caller giving you the ins and outs of where you’re meant to put your feet. The music ranges from country to Ceilidh and the dances reflect the best of the British isles. All ages welcome. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Mar 12)

We also like
Hunt for fresh talent and bargains at the Affordable Art Fair Battersea (Thu-Sun); girl power hits new heights at Southbank Centre’s WOW Women of the World festival (Thu-Sun); celebrate Ghana’s 60 years of Independence at Young Africa Centre mini festival with food, spoken word, film, music, art and more (Sat); explore 60 years of US art and culture in The American Dream: Pop to the Present at British Museum (until Jun 18)

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 – Anthony Horowitz presents: Fantastic Mr Fox (PG), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Mar 11)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Arrietty at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Mar 11)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Mr Peabody & Sherman at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Mar 11)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Jungle Book at 11.30am; £1.75 (Mar 11)

Coming Soon

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Sing at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Mar 26)

Booking Ahead

Yamato: The Drummers of Japan at Peacock Theatre (Mar 14-25)
The Velveteen Rabbit at Unicorn Theatre (Mar 17-Apr 17)
Mwalimu Express African family adventure at Rich Mix (Mar 19)
Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild at Hackney Empire (Mar 22-25)
Nibble + Squeak Family Fine Dining at Taberna do Mercado, Spitalfields (Mar 25)
Mother’s Day (Mar 26)
Forbidden Forest at WB Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter (opens Mar 31)
All About Piano at Institut Francais (Mar 31-Apr 2)