Our Half Term guide will be out next week. In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine and check out our guide to the weekend in London. Too much happening!
 

What’s On this Weekend in London

 
Thu-Sun: Museums at Night, multiple locations around London
One for the mamas and papas, book a babysitter as we can’t see any family friendly activities listed for 2017 (although this might change). Every year, some of London’s most mysterious spaces throw open their doors for candlelight concerts, backstage tours, and a chance to get up close with landmark paintings, after dark. Museums at Night is a popular date on the annual calendar and this weekend in London offers a vast range of activities to explore. From botanical cocktails at Keats House to a calligraphy workshop pat National Gallery. A chance to discover a new side of some of the haunts you visit daytime with the munchkins. Varying times and prices. (May 17-20)

Fri-Sun: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, box office Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park Inner Circle, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
When summer comes around, one of the most enchanting places to be is the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, watching dazzling shows under the sun and stars. This year’s programme has us dancing with excitement as usual, kicking off this weekend in London with their most ambitious musical to date, Leonard Bernstein’s magical On The Town (pictured top, May 19-Jul 1). I last saw this show on Broadway in New York and it will be fascinating to learn how they’ll bring it to life in the heart of Regents Park. The Open Air Theatre line-up also features Dickens’ masterpiece A Tale of Two Cities (Jul 7-Aug 5) followed by Oliver Twist for Everyone Aged Six and Over (Jul 17-Aug 5). It all rounds off with Jesus Christ Superstar (Aug 11-Sep 16) back by popular demand for 41 shows only. Take a picnic and all-weather covering for an enjoyable outing at one of London’s most evocative theatres. Ticket range £18-£65 (May 19-Sep 16)

 

 
Sat: Little Rippers Film Club: School of Rock at House of Vans, Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
If you’re searching for something fun and a bit edgy for your rad little chicks and dude, skate along to the former Old Vic Tunnels on Saturday. Here, at House of Vans newly snazzed up site, kids of all ages can have a go at skateboarding (kit is provided), while there are tons of pop-up events for grown-ups. On Saturday, the Little Rippers Film Club presents School of Rock, the hugely entertaining Jack Black movie, now a hit West End musical. Turn up, chill out and enjoy a Saturday morning picture show in one of the coolest spots in town. This free film series will be happening every Saturday and Sunday morning, so look out for their listings in our London Kids Cinema guides. 10.30am & 12.30pm, FREE (May 20)

Sat: Herne Hill Free Film Festival: Moana, 21 Effra Parade, SW2 1PX (Herne Hill rail/Brixton tube)
We absolutely loved Disney’s Moana, the tale of a South Pacific island princess who decides to chart her own destiny on the high seas, and save her people from possible extinction. It’s crammed with catchy tunes, a fierce heroine, genuinely touching moments, and an enjoyably bombastic turn from The Rock as demigod Maui. This weekend in London go south to watch it at no cost, as part of Herne Hill’s free festival of movies, a volunteer-driven initiative to get the community together. All ages welcome. Doors 1.15pm, film 2pm; FREE (May 20)

Sat: Family Concert: In Search for the Starlight Squid at Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP (Bond St/Oxford Circus tube)
Dive deep underwater for another adventure at Wigmore Hall, this time with Lawson Piano Trio and presenter Jessie Maryon Davies leading the way. From works by Sibelius to sea shanties, and an original composition from the audience (yes, that includes you!), it promises to be a fun morning hunting for the elusive starlight squid. Ages 5+. 11am, adult £10/child £8 (May 20)

Sat: Tower Bridge Family Day: Contours & Kaleidoscopes, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Take the kids to Tower Bridge this Saturday for another of their fabulous family days at one of the city’s iconic structures. This weekend in London, you can pick up special drawing techniques and get crafty with shapes to create your own Tower Bridge kaleidoscope. Artist in Residence Alex Evans leads these friendly sessions that are open to all ages, best suited for ages 6 to 10. Activities included in price of admission. 10.30am-4pm; adult £9/child 5-15 £3.90/under 5s FREE/family £14.10-£22.50 (May 20)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Museum of London Docklands: Toddler Takeover, No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL (West India Quay DLR/Canary Wharf tube)
Uh oh. Hold onto your scooters, folks! The toddlers are taking over at the east London museum this weekend, for a whole day of ‘tot power’. Step into a jungle sensory space inspired by the creatures that first landed at the docks before being carted off to zoos and circuses. Take part in a storytelling picnic on the quayside, or join in with Rise and Shine yoga for toddlers (mats provided). There’s music and movement, Baby Bells interactive classes for wee ones, sugar, spice and all things nice. This free family festival celebrates children’s contributions to museums as part of the Takeover Day project coordinated by charity Kids in Museums. 10.30am-4pm; FREE (May 20-21)

Sat-Sun: Puppet Theatre Barge: The Hare and the Tortoise, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Enjoy some floating theatre this weekend in London on the renowned Puppet Theatre Barge. Their latest production is the Aesop Fable about a tortoise and a hare who decide to have a race… with a rather surprising outcome. The show also weaves in some more popular fables for an entertaining day out on the canal at Little Venice. All ages . 11am & 3pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); adult £12/child £8.50 (May 20-Jul 9)

 

 
Sun: Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula, 1 Green Place, SE10 0PE (North Greenwich tube)
Head to Greenwich this Sunday for the third annual Urban Village Fete, a fantastic celebration of local culture, craftsmanship, music, design, art, street theatre and family friendly activities. This alternative village fete gives us our first taste of Summer Festival Season, ahead of the fantastic Greenwich + Docklands International Festival coming up soon. The trip in and around Greenwich alone – if you travel by Dockland Lights Railway driverless trains to North Greenwich, take the Emirates Airline cable car, and/or ride the Thames Clipper boat – makes a fun day out for little ones by itself. Then there’s delicious street food, arts and crafts, DJ Gilles Peterson turning it up, plus a chance for you and your mini music makers to have a go on the turntables with the Charity Shop DJ. Tons on, get out there, it’s all free! All ages. 11am-7pm, FREE (May 21)

Sun: Arts Depot: The Scarecrow’s Wedding, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
The irrepressible Scamp Theatre are back with another lively adaptation of a bestseller by the kid lit duo Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. If you’ve read the picture book then you’ll know all about scarecrows Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay whose happy, hairy love affair is interrupted by a farmer and his brand new scarecrow, Reginald Rake. Will Betty’s heart be won over by the ultra cool Reginald or can Harry convince her he’s the true (stick)man for her? Great storytelling, stage tricks and music bring this tale to life for ages 3+. 12pm & 3pm; £8-£13 (May 21)

 

 
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave: Once Upon a Fairytime at Acklam Village Market, Portobello Rd, W10 (Ladbroke Grove/Westbourne Park tube)
Oooh I’m getting that Carnival mashup with a festival vibe off this Big Fish Little Fish fairy time themed raved, happening in West London. The outdoor, but totally covered, venue lets in plenty of light so you can properly stick your arms in the air and dream of summers to come. From street food stalls on either side, to DJs giving it large centre stage, the BFLF crew will have you sorted for the weekend in London. Hit the dance floor, then unwind later with Villa Pia baby chill out space, play mats, bubbles, balloons, crafting and glitter cannon. Dancing with your mini monsters to hip hop, house, garage and drum ’n’ bass is a feeling that can’t be beaten. Get out there! For ages 0-8 and grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (May 21)

Sun: East London Bubble Rush at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Thornton Street, London E20 (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
Here’s a fun way to raise money with all the family: join this bubblicious 5k race that’s suitable for even the tiniest walkers. The Bubble Rush pumps out colourful bubbles from four bubble stations, representing the four local hospices that you’ll be raising funds for. You can run, walk, jog or even dance your way through and you’re guaranteed a sudsy good time. Money generated from the event will be equally split between Haven House Children’s Hospice, Richard House Children’s Hospice, Saint Joseph’s Hospice and Saint Francis Hospice. All ages welcome, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. 11.30am, adult fundraiser £15/child fundraiser £10/adult spectator £25/child spectator £15/family fundraiser £40/under 3s FREE (May 21)
 

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 Chipmunk Adventure (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 20)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Smurfs: The Lost Village at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 20)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 20)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Muppet Treasure Island at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 20)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Cat from Outer Space at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (May 21)

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

 
Courtyard Festival at King’s Cross (May 25-29
May Half Term (May 29-Jun 2)
OKIDO Summer Party at Doodle Bar (Jun 4)
The Borrowers at Polka Theatre (Jun 16-Aug 20)
Wind in the Willows Musical at the London Palladium (Jun 17-Sep 9)
Fun DMC: DJ Yoda Father’s Day Special (Jun 18)
The Cally Festival (Jun 18)
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Jun 25)