July seems to have come very quickly, despite how gruelling the last few weeks and months have been. We’re looking forward to an amazing summer in London already, and getting excited putting together our BIG summer holidays guide. Meantime take a look at all the fabulous things to do with kids in London Weekend Scoop.
Wimbledon starts next week and as usual we’ll have our list of Where to Watch outdoors… and here’s wishing a Happy 4th of July in advance to our American readers!
Thu-Sun: Unicorn Theatre: Sensacional, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Always a treat for mamas and papas with teeny ones, this showstopper production plays with shadows, form, music and light to entrance young kids. Toddlers are invited to don white suits and immerse themselves in a digital experience, where ladybirds, shapes, squiggles and sounds are all there for the chasing! Ages 18 months to 3 years. Varying shows from 10am; adult + child combo £10/additional adult £5 – hurry, these shows sell out fast! (Jun 29-Jul 29, 2018)
Thu-Sun: Ken Doll Exhibition at Machine-A, 13 Brewer St, W1F 0RH (Oxford Circus tube)
Don’t call it a comeback, he’s been here for years. But Ken has certainly been causing a bit of a stir lately with the release of The New Crew from Mattel, showcasing 15 new dolls including Ken with cane rows (had some interesting feedback on Twitter)! Step back in time to 1991 and beyond at concept store Machine-A’s Ken Archive Exhibition. Here you can see Gareth Pugh’s Ken from 2009, and an MC Hammer Ken that you just can’t touch (or Ken you?… ahem). There’s also a new designer Ken t-shirt by Martine Rose on sale. 11am-7pm (Mon-Wed), 11am-8pm (Thu-Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (until Jul 7)
Thu-Sun: Wind in the Willows Musical at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
Badger, Mole, Ratty and the irrepressible speed-freak Mr Toad are back on the big stage, in a brand new adaptation of the beloved children’s book by Kenneth Grahame. It’s a cracking show, with comedian Rufus Hound (Toad) joined by Denise Welch and Gary Wilmot in lead roles. The script is by none other than Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park) with a score from Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The choreography and set design are also sure to delight and dazzle audiences from ages 5+. Look out for our review! 7pm (Mon), 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Tue & Sat); from adult £15, 1 child FREE with every paying adult + up to 2 additional children (16 and under) at half price (previews from Jun 16/opens Jun 29-Sep 9)
Fri-Sun: Africa Writes Festival at British Library, 96 Euston Rd, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras/Euston tube/rail)
If you can leave the babes at home for an evening, head to the Africa Writes ‘Rap Party’ on Friday, where hip hop poetry meshes with Afrobeats and DJ sets for a night to remember (Fri). Or bring the nippers along for the Magic of Stories on Saturday (10.30am-12pm), an interactive workshop where, along with tales from the motherland, they can learn the art and origin of the Kanga, and what a calabash is made from. This is all part of the annual African literature celebration, showcasing the best new writing from Africa and the Diaspora, now in its 6th year. There’s tons on over 3 days, check the web site for the full programme. Ages 5-11 and older (for family friendly events). British Library is open 9.30am-8pm (Mon-Thu), 9.30pm-6pm (Fri), 9.30am-5pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); varying prices for activities, Magic of Stories is FREE (Jun 30-Jul 2)
Sat: Somerset House Family Workshop: Marty the Mighty Nose, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
How do you suppose a nose knows what it knows? Come along to this pongtastic family workshop at dazzling Somerset House, for a journey through the senses, led by the Fragrance Foundation. Use smelly props and scent-based similes, to accompany cartoon character Marty on his sensory escapades. Kids can play ‘smell bingo’ or fill in their own ‘Stink Sheets’ to display or take away. Inspired by the current exhibition Perfume at Somerset House. Ages 5+ (younger siblings welcome) and carers. 12pm-5pm, FREE (Jul 1)
Sat: Tales Big Day Out at Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, N14 4PE (Cockfosters tube)
The wildly popular Tales Big Day Out returns to thrill audiences from crawlers to young strutters. You don’t have to be familiar with the Tales universe to enjoy this fun, interactive experience. It kicks off with a workshop for all, followed by a performance of Tales from the Shed, rounding off with the Tales extravaganza outdoors in the amphitheatre (all activities indoors if weather is bad). Ages 0-6 and families. 10am-12pm & 2.30pm-4.30pm; £8/babies under 1 are FREE (Jul 1)
Sat: Wigmore Hall Family Day: Museum of Music, 36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP (Bond St/Oxford Circus tube)
A museum made out of music? Sign (or sing) us up (apologies for puns in abundance this week hehe). The Royal Academy of Music Museum joins forces with Wigmore Hall to discover some of the hidden gems at this friendly venue. This interactive workshop brings you closer to the musicians and their instruments, with a chance to compose your own piece for performance at the end of the day. 10.30am-3.30pm, adult £15/child £10 (Jul 1)
Sat-Sun: Mudchute Agricultural Show at Mudchute Park & Farm, Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, E14 3HP (Crossharbour, Mudchute, Island Gardens DLR)
Escape to the countryside via Mudchute Park & Farm at their annual agricultural show. There’s everything from livestock contests to donkey rides, fairground attractions and horse-riding displays. You can take part in tug-of-war or welly-wanging competitions, check out cake and food stalls, watch sheep racing and more. Plus there’s a special area just for under 5s. All ages welcome. 12pm-5pm, FREE (Jul 1-2)
Sat-Sun: V&A Museum Exhibition Road Quarter: REVEAL (and top picture) at Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
REVEAL is a free, week-long festival, marking the 165th anniversary of the V&A museum and the grand opening of its Exhibition Road Quarter. Members of the public are invited to check out the new quarter, with a mix of events and family friendly activities designed to bring the collections to life. Kid-friendly highlights include Digital Kids session reimagining the museum in Minecraft; a special performance from Albert’s Band of the Royal Albert Hall; an interactive treasure hunt with mobile game V&A Secret Seekers; artist-led workshops and more! 10am-5.45pm (Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun), 10am-10pm (Fri); FREE (Jun 30-Jul 7)
Sat-Sun: In the Night Garden Live at Showdome Richmond, Old Deer Park, Twickenham Road, Richmond, TW9 2SF (Richmond tube/overground)
LAST CHANCE: Meeting Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and their mates at In the Night Garden Live was one of the babes’ life highlights when they were little. The CBeebies hit makes a wonderful musical theatre experience for the very young. With full-size costumes, magical puppets, breathtaking projections and music, you’ll feel completely transported to the Night Garden with your babes. More than 800,000 people have seen the show, be part of the action this June. All ages welcome, perfect for ages 18 months and up. 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm (Mon-Tue & Thur-Sun); £12.50 -£35 (Jun 17-Jul 5)
Sat-Sun: Polka Theatre: The Borrowers, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
You’ve read the book, maybe you’ve seen The Borrowers movie, or even the Studio Ghibli version Arietty. Now catch the magical stage adaptation of this popular kids’ fable about a very tiny family that lives under the floorboards. When Arietty’s dad Pod brings her upstairs into the big house for the first time, to learn the art of ‘borrowing’, she meets a real human boy. But when the ‘human beans’ discover the borrowers’ secret world, it might be the end of life as she knows it! Dazzling puppetry, an original score, stunning set and tons of suspense will keep ages 5-11 and families engaged. Varying performances at 11am, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm (check dates); £15 – hurry, tickets flying out, do book ahead if you can! (Jun 16-Aug 20)
Sat-Sun: Shambush! Room and Board at South West Fest and Tate Britain ( Duffield Room in the Clore Gallery), Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico tube)
Come for a day of creativity and giving at this flamboyant fiesta that takes box forts to a different level. Decorate your own box brick, to help build a giant house of card, walls filled with messages of hope and positivity. You can design your brick as part of South West Fest community festival on the Saturday. Then come and see the whole building come together at Tate Britain on the Sunday. Donations of food and useful items will be collected on the day for Refugee Kitchen and local homeless charity The Passage (see web site for full list of items required). All ages. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Jul 2)
We also like
Enjoy a good sing-along with the Southbank Centre Chorus Festival; head to Trafalgar Square to celebrate Canada Day (Sat) or the Eid Festival (Sun); take advantage of traffic-free shopping on Regent Street Summer Streets (every Sun, all day, from Jul 2-23); and don’t miss Hampstead’s massive street party, the Big Fair with street food, circus, live music and more than 100 stalls!
London Kids Cinema Listings
A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.
Prince Charles Cinema: Kids Matinee, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Moana Sing-along (PG) at 12.30pm; non-member£11.50/child £7.50/member £9 (Jun 29)
Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Framed Film Club: Box of Delights shorts programme (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jul 1)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Moomins on the Riviera at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jul 1)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Smurfs: The Lost Village at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jul 1)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Minions at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jul 1)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Stuart Little at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jul 2)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Boss Baby at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Jul 2
Booking Ahead
What the Ladybird Heard at Lyric, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 5-Sep 10)
Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales at Leicester Square Theatre (Jul 8-Sep 3)
Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre (Jul 15-16)
Ally Pally Summer Festival (Jul 22-23)
The Hunting of the Snark at Vaudeville Theatre (Jul 26-Sep 2)
Our Summer in London Holiday Guide is coming soon!
London Kids Weekend Scoop (Jun 23-25, 2017)
