London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 4-7, 2017)

 

 
May the Fourth be with you, friends. It’s the first official May weekend, and we’re still recovering from our post Bank Holiday hangover (that’s more kids, later nights and more screaming… not more booze sadly)! Weather’s a bit iffy but loads to do in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Use the force and make the most of this fabulous city with your mini Jedis.

PREVIEW EVENT: HOT TICKET!

 

 
Sat May 13: 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 is a fast growing brand (launched by Melissa, pictured top) that organises 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)

LONDON KIDS WEEKEND SCOOP

 
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)

 

 
Sat: Cadogan Hall: Southbank Sinfonia at 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (Sloane Square tube)
This interactive family concert asks ‘Do You Speak Music?’, taking the universal language of tone and rhythm as a conversation starter. Join Southbank Sinfonia on an exciting global adventure in the company of 36 musicians. Immerse yourself in a symphony written in Italy by a German all about Scotland, with lights and sound projections to amp things up. Best for ages 5-11. Show 11.30am, adult £10/child £6.50/family of 4 £28 (May 6)

Sat: Somerset House: Mechanical Mazes, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Get your geek hats on for a fun and challenging day of hands-on tech at Somerset House’s drop-in family workshop. Inspired by the current Game Changers exhibition, mini makers are invited to build, customise and race robots through a maze created on site. Learn all about the science that makes these machines work too. Ages 6-12 and families. 12pm-3pm, FREE (May 6)

Sat: Cecil Sharp House: May in a Day, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 7AY (Camden Town tube/Camden Rd overground)
The annual festival of folk is back at Cecil Sharp House to get you and your family up and moving. Join in workshops by folk artists Bryony Griffith and Will Hampson, when you can learn a short sword dance routine. Catch live singing, rapper sword dancing, Morris dancing, take part in Maypole dancing, English ceilidh and more. All ages welcome. 4pm; adult £10/child £8/under 2s £2 (May 6)

Sat: Free Comic Book Day at Gosh Comics, 1 Berwick Street, W1F 0DR (Tottenham Court Rd/Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus tube)
Head to Gosh! Comics for another day of family fun celebrating Free Comic Book Day. Start off with their Annual Kids Workshop featuring kids drawing side by side with real life comic artists! Also look out for window painting, comic book demos, comic book signings and free comics given away throughout the day. Drawing activities for kids age 8-11 from 11am-2pm. The full day is 10am-9pm, all activities are FREE (May 6)

 

 
Sat-Sun: The Shop Up with Babyccino Kids, Old Truman Brewery, 15 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR (Shoreditch High St overground)
They’ve conquered West London and now the fabulous Babyccino Kids crew are doing an East London takeover at Old Truman Brewery this weekend. The super stylish spring shopping event (try saying that after a few sips of Pimm’s) offers two days of browsing from fantastic indie boutiques, designer kids clothes and toys, yummy treats to sample, make and take workshops and more. And of course it’s right off Brick Lane so you can do more shopping, and definitely more eating after! 2pm-7.30pm (Sat), 10am-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (May 6-7)

Sat-Sun: Serpentine Gallery Family Weekend: Lung Songs, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
The F*CHOIR might sound a bit rude, but they’re actually an experimental chorus group of singers that are calling on Londoners and visitors to explore words, breathing, moving, clapping, shouting and more. This fun workshop will help you get lost in music, sound and vibrations, trying out new things with your voice and feeling part of the vibe. All ages and abilities welcome. 1pm-5pm, FREE (May 6-7)

Sat-Sun: Star Wars Weekend at Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT (Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Lightsabers at the ready! The world’s most famous toy store is dedicating an entire weekend to all things from a galaxy far, far away. Visit Hamleys for a chance to snap a selfie with a Stormtrooper, make LEGO characters, come dressed as your favourite hero, test out Bladebuilder Lightsaber, chase BB8 around the store and much more fun. Prizes for best dressed and surprise goodies in store, plus 25% off Star Wars toys. All day during opening hours, activity times and dates vary, FREE entry (May 6-7)

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 6-7 & May 13-14)

Sat-Sun: Imperial College Festival at Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ (South Kensington tube)
This annual bonanza of science and creativity is a brilliant day out for all the family. Explore workshops, demos and talks from scientists, inventors and other experts on anything from robots to human biology. Try out gadgets and curiosity stimulating devices. Tuck into food stalls from the College Barbecue and London Farmer’s Market, once you’ve crammed your mind full of stuff. All ages. 12pm-6pm (Sat), 12pm-5pm (Sun), FREE – advanced registration for your chosen events recommended (May 6-7)

 

 
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish ‘Once Upon a Time Fairytale Rave’ at Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY (New Cross Gate rail)
DJs Readers Wifes (Duckie) are on the decks with the Big Fish Little Fish family rave brigade this weekend. Post-rave gen mamas and papas lose themselves with their little ones at these world famous afternoon clubbing that have rocked everywhere from Glastonbury to LA! BFLF events also offer crafting with Captain Cookie, Villa Pia baby chill out, licensed bar and food stalls, free glowstick and transfer tattoos, colouring mural, licensed bar, giant balloons, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. For ages 0-8 and grown ups. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (May 7)

Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Once Upon a Piece of Paper, John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Craft like an Egyptian at Royal Academy this Sunday, where they’ll be building picture pyramids inspired by popular works of art. You can cut and shape pieces from atlases, maps and other items to build your own takeaway tower, or create a giant collaborative piece. These workshops are drop-in and open to all ages. 11am-3pm; FREE (May 7)

Sun: Special Children’s Day at London Zoo, ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
There’s a very special welcome for London families and children with special needs at this brilliant annual day out. There’s everything from sensory storytelling to singing hands (Makaton with Suzanne and Tracy), plus wildlife gardening activities, animal encounters and a chance to play in the splash zone, secret garden and tunnels. 10am-5pm; adult £13.25/child £9/under 3 FREE. Book early to avoid disappointment! If you miss out on tickets, you can still go for regular zoo entry £24.30/child 3-15 from £18/family of 4 from £75.80/under 3s FREE (May 7)

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: Trolls (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 6)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Molly Monster at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 6)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
The LEGO Batman at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 6)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Sleeping Beauty at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 6)

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

Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival (May 14)
Museums at Night (May 17-20)
May Half Term (May 29-Jun 2)
Fun DMC: DJ Yoda Father’s Day Special (Jun 18)