May’s whizzing past and luckily the weather’s cheered up a bit. It’s a big London Kids Weekend Scoop filled with Kite Day on Streatham Common, Nibble + Squeak baby-friendly fine dining, Harry Potter live in concert, Royal Institution family day, baby disco, folk concert for families and more!
Thu-Sun: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in Concert at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
If you’re anything like us, you’re trying your luck with the Friday fives for a chance to catch the Harry Potter play in the West End. This live experience might be the next best thing, a hot ticket to see the original Potter film, accompanied by live orchestra. Hear John Williams’ unforgettable score played by musicians at the top of their game, while you enjoy the movie in full HD on a 40-foot screen. Two shows at 2pm-4.55pm, with 20 minute interval (bar open from 12pm, doors from 1.15pm) & 7pm (bar open from 5pm, doors from 6.15pm); £15-£65 (May 11-14)
Fri: Sadler’s Wells: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Northern Ballet gets the temperature just right in another of their Short Ballets for Small People, this time centring on a certain blonde chick and her mischievous adventures among a very furry household. As sweet and comforting as a bowl of porridge, this delicious ballet is perfectly pitched for little ones ages 0 and upwards. 12pm & 2pm; adult £8/child £6 (May 12)
Sat: Nibble + Squeak at Salut, 412 Essex RoadLondon, England, N1 3PJ (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
Do you fantasise about dining at a top London restaurant without snooty customers giving you and your tiny monsters the side eye? Well, you’re in luck. Nibble + Squeak are a fast growing brand that organise baby, child and parent-friendly ‘restaurant takeovers’ at some of the world’s top eateries in NYC, San Francisco and London! Next weekend, they’ll be hosting a family affair at Salut, Islington (right in our ‘hood) and there’s a delicious adult menu, with tasty kids options too. Book here and if you see us there, do come and say hello! 12pm, adult from £60/child from £20/under 4s are FREE but sold out for this session. (May 13)
Sat: Mini Maestro Family Concert at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross tube)
Enjoy an interactive early years concert, in the company of classical composers from esteemed. This week, it’s the Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra taking us on a journey with Prokofiev, Mozart and Dan Watts (The Tortoise and the Hare), with composer/narrator Thomas Ades coming along for the ride. All ages, best for 5+. 4.30pm; adult £10/child £8 (May 13)
Sat: Royal Institution Family Day: The Chemistry of Life at The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BS (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Discover light in surprising new ways in another exploratory family fun day, with workshops, talks and shows that are created to help you and your little ones engage with science. Follow the search for life in the Cosmos, find out about the magic of crystals, and explore a world of unusual chemical reactions. For ages 6-12, younger siblings welcome. 11am-4pm; adult £14/child £7/under 3s FREE (May 13)
Sat: Little Folk with Albo at The Sound Lounge, 210-212 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7EW (Tooting Bec tube)
Everybody get up and get moving to some funky, folksy tunes with Wimbledon singer/guitarist Al Clogston (Albo). The lively musician plays American campfire songs, kids classics and other sounds to get the little ones clapping and stomping along. An enchanting first concert for ages 0 to 5, suitable for all ages. 11am, FREE (donations accepted) (May 13)
Sat-Sun: Mozart in the Garden at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The lovely Aurora Orchestra are back at Kings Place with another enchanting first concert experience for tiny ones.
‘Mozart in the Garden’ entices you to float among lavender, be a wiggly worm or have a little snooze to the sounds of a twinkling firefly. The concert features new chamber arrangements of Mozart’s music for flute and harp and original story from writer in residence Kate Wakeling. For ages 0-4 and their families. 10.30am, 11.30am & 12.30pm (Sat), 10am, 11am and 12pm (Sun); adult £7.50/child £5.50/family £20.60 (May 13-14)
Sat-Sun: Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, multiple venues around Barnes Pond, SW13 (Barnes/Barnes Bridge rail)
The Harry Potter Comes to Barnes event is already sold out, but there are still loads of exciting literary themed activities to join in with at this annual festival of writers and illustrators. Meet your favourite creators including Axel Scheffler, Sophie Thompson, Tony Ross, Francesca Simon and others. Watch the Wimpy Kid show and celebrate the Cat in the Hat’s 60th birthday. Loads on to entertain the whole family. All ages welcome. Varying times for activities, tickets just £5 each, some activities are FREE (May 13-14)
Sun: Streatham Common Kite Day High Rd, SW16 3HG (Streatham/Streatham Common rail)
One of the most colourful events on the London calendar returns to Streatham Common for the 19th time. Fly mamas and papas, and their buoyant brood, feel their hearts soar at the sight of dozens of kites taking to the skies. If the breeze is perfect and the sun comes out, you can’t ask for a better day out with your family. Watch pro crews doing their thing, tuck into street food, play on bouncy castles and much more fun. Bring or buy a kite on the day (or visit the web site for tips on how to make your own). All ages. 11am-5pm, FREE (May 14)
Sun: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford St, WC2E 9ED (Covent Garden tube)
It happens every May, on the second Sunday, when Punch and Judy professors gather in the garden of St Paul’s Church (better known as the Actors’ Church) for an incredible day-long festival of fun and farce, attracting families from around the world. The garden is where the original site Mr Punch show made its debut in England in May 1662 (by Samuel Pepys, no less). Mark the occasion on Sunday with a brass band procession (from 11am), followed by Punch & Judy shows, maypole moves, folk music and dancing, and puppet workshops. All ages. 11am procession, shows from 12.30pm-5.30pm; FREE (May 14)
Sun: Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall (top pic) at London Wonderground, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Hey hey tiny dancers, it’s time to hit the floor with Monski Mouse, the massively popular London-based Australian DJ, producer and mum of two. Monski is famed for tearing up the spot with a mix of flashback grooves, nursery moves and toddler-friendly tunes that appeal to all ages. A brilliant first disco experience for babes that like to boogie. For ages 5 and under and their carers. Max 2 kids per adult, every adult must be accompanied by a child. 3pm-5pm, £8.50 standard price/family of 4 £9.50 each (May 7-Sep 24)
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: The Princess and the Frog (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 13)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Minions at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 13)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Robinson Crusoe at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 13)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Robin Hood at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 13)
COMING SOON
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Beauty & the Beast at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (May 28)
Booking Ahead
Museums at Night (May 17-20)
Contours & Kaleidoscopes at Tower Bridge: Family Day (May 20)
May Half Term (May 29-Jun 2)
Fun DMC: DJ Yoda Father’s Day Special (Jun 18)
London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 4-7, 2017)
