London Kids Weekend Scoop (Jun 8-11, 2017)

 

 
It’s that time, folks. The NHS, our schools, public services and social care system are counting on you to stand up and make your voice count. I’ll be voting in line with the many, not the few… but I’m not here to force your hand. Just please, whatever you do, don’t sit on the fence and let apathy win the day! Beyond elections and all that politricks, there’s tons of great stuff happening in our London kids scoop this weekend. Make it a good one x

 

 

BOOK NOW: LONDON BLOGGING WORKSHOP!

Have you ever thought about starting a blog, or are you looking for unique but surefire ways to grow your blog, while staying true to your own voice and vision? Mothers & Shakers (that’s me and my crew) are running an informal, yet practical workshop at Reform Social & Grill in Marylebone next week Thursday June 15, 10am-1.30pm. We’ll be showing you some of our best strategies for great content, audience engagement and turning your blog into a business. Goody bags, refreshments and surprise bonuses included in the ticket fee. If you fancy coming along, grab your ticket here before sales end https://mothers-shakers.eventbrite.com#mashworks

 

 
Thu-Sun: BUMP Rollerdisco at Queens Skate, Dine & Bowl, 17 Queensway, W2 4QP (Queensway/Bayswater tube)
Whoop whoop! The fabulous BUMP Roller Disco town are back in action, this time taking over Queens Skate, Dine & Bowl in Bayswater, London. Since the Queens Ice Rink is undergoing renovations, it’s been transformed into a wooden floored roller disco, perfect for the BUMP crew. Get your whole family along for some ‘wheelie’ good fun, and if you’re new to roller skating, the marshal’s will be on deck to give you a helping hand. Queens offers a fun day out for all with bowling, Arcade Lounge and the popular MEATliquor for delicious burgers and drinks (20% MEATliquor discount for BUMP Roller disco customers). Ages 3+. 12pm-10.30pm (Mon-Thu), 10am-11.30pm (Fri-Sat), 10am-10.30pm (Sun); £10 in advance inc skate hire & £8 if you have your own skates. On the door £12 including skater hire & £9 if you have your own skates. NB: Kids under 13 only welcome BEFORE 7pm. (Jun 8-18)

Thu-Sun: London on Water at St Katharine Docks, St Katharine Marina, 50 St Katharine’s Way, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 1LA (Tower Gateway DLR, Tower Hill tube)
It’s the number one floating, yachting and boating festival in the Capital and it’s all happening this weekend at St Katharine Docks. over four days, take your little sailors and water babes along to gawp at stunning luxury yachts, ride on RIBs, and generally feel ship ship. You can pick up specialty clothing and gifts at the Mariner’s Retail Village. And for the first time, the Docks will be screening the Americas Cup races on a huge outdoor screen at Marble Quay. Head down on Friday and you can munch your way across the World Food Market crammed with flavours from all over the globe. 11am-8pm (Thu-Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (Jun 8-11)

Thu-Sun: Underbelly Festival | Flip Fabrique: Attrape Moi at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
If you see one show with your family this May half term holiday, make it the dazzling Attrape Moi by Canadian company Flip Fabrique. Hailing from Quebec, as all the best circus performers seem to do (Cirque du Soleil etc), Flip Fabrique turn live theatre literally on its head in an all-leaping, all-juggling, all-dancing, all blowing your mind kinda way. Blending acrobatics, parkour, tricks and some crazy stunts on a trampoline, Attrape Moi (Catch Me in French) will leave your adrenaline pumping… in a good way. We were lucky enough to see this show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year and I can’t recommend it highly enough! All ages. 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2.30pm & 6pm (Sat), 6pm (Sun); from £19.50-£23.50 (May 17-Jul 9)

 

 
Fri-Sun: Polo in the Park (top pic), Hurlingham Park, Fulham, London SW6 3RH (Putney Bridge tube)
Kids and families in the know will be hoofing it down to Hurlingham Park for the annual Polo in the Park festival. This huge horse and kid friendly event has its very own Family Day (Sunday) when the likes of Sharky & George and Amanda’s Action Kids keep your little ponies in a happy state. The Finals Day is famous for a pitch invasion when kids storm the fields with space hoppers, and there’s also a tug of war and a minis polo match. This year, the world’s biggest game of musical statues is also promised… and that’s amongst the fabulous people watching and of course the adrenaline rush of polo players in action! 12-9pm (Fri), 12-8pm (Sat) and 11.30am-7pm (Sun); adult £30-£47.50/child £10/family of 4 £70/under 3s FREE (Jun 9-11)

Sat: Nick Cope: Putting Paws into Poetry at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
As part of the Poetry and Lyrics festival, Candyskins front-man Nick Cope invites families for an interactive session in music, rhyming and a little bit of comedy. Learn to craft your own songs using alliteration and words that sound good together, and come with any ideas you have about your favourite animals. It’s set to be a beastly good time for ages 2-8 and their not-so-furry companions. 12pm, £6.50 (Jun 10)

Sat: Cook Thai with Jamie Oliver’s Mobile Teaching Kitchen, at Selhurst Park Stadium, Holmesdale Road, SE25 6PU (Selhurst rail/Norwood Junction overground)
In an exciting new collaboration between Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and Hotpoint, a custom-built Mobile Teaching Kitchen will be making its way around the UK this summer. The goal? To get more people in the kitchen, picking up essential culinary skills and enjoying quality time with friends or family. Jamie’s all about encouraging healthier foodie habits especially for kids and it all starts with the basics of cooking. The Mobile Teaching Kitchen is in London for two weeks and you can sign up for a cooking class to learn Asian inspired recipes from the Ministry of Food trained chefs. This weekend, it’s Thai Chicken and Fluffy Rice on the menu – yum! For ages 7+. Classes last 90 minutes, arrive 10 minutes before start time. Sessions at 10.30am & 1.30pm; FREE but each attendee requires a ticket. More details at https://www.jamiesministryoffood.org/hotpoint-teaching-kitchen/ (Jun 10)

Sat: Little Rippers Film Club: The Red Turtle at House of Vans, Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
Searching for something a bit edgy for your rad little chicks and dudes? Skate along to the former Old Vic Tunnels on Saturday. Here, at House of Vans 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. This Saturday, the Little Rippers Film Club presents The Red Turtle, a brand new animated feature from the renowned Studio Ghibli. 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 (Jun 10)

 

 
Sat-Sun: London Bridge City Summer Festival at The Scoop at More London, More London Riverside, SE1 2DB (London Bridge tube)
As part of the lively London Bridge City Summer Festival programme, there’s a musical fiesta taking place at the outdoor stage at The Scoop. Catch some of the hottest B-Boys and break dancers on the scene, dropping it like it’s fire, with legendary DJ Hooch spinning up a storm (2pm-10pm). On Sunday, you can here live, fresh musical talent from Upallnite Daily (3pm-10pm); or take it to Carnival with a 50 piece traditional Brazilian samba, dance and music extravaganza, performed by 12-19 year old students from across the city (2.30pm-10pm). All ages welcome, FREE (Jun 10-11, ongoing until Jun 30)

Sat-Sun: Battersea Power Station: Street Food Festival at Battersea Power Station (Circus West Village), 188 Kirtling St, London SW8 5BN (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail/Sloane Sq or Vauxhall tube)
Fancy doing some feasting with the munchkins this weekend? Why not pop down to Circus West Village for their Street Food Festival, taking place every weekend in June. Some delicious fare will be on offer from various street food traders including Mae’s Mac & Cheese, London’s original Mac n Cheese dealers; The Beefstakes, steak sandwiches, steak frites, triple cooked chips; SE Cakery, London’s award winning cake shop; and lots of kid-friendlly action including bubble shows from a pro bubbleologist. And don’t miss Dodd’s Gin joining in for #WorldGinDay on Saturday (12pm-7pm)! All ages. 12pm-7pm (Sat) and 12pm-5pm (Sun); FREE entry (Jun 10-11)

 

 
Sun: Arts Depot: Sponge at 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Hurry hurry! There are only a few limited tickets for the earlier performance of this production. Set to an original score influenced by music from the ’70s, Sponge invites you to accompany two dancers in a world of squishy, squashy environments designed for play. Dance company Turned on its Head gets audiences rolling, popping and squeezing their way through this interactive show, tailor made for babies, young children and their families. Ages 3 months and upwards. 11am (ages 4-14 months); £16 per adult + baby pairing (Jun 11)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Hackney Pyjama Party, The Mangle (basement), 13-18 Sidworth Street, London Fields, E8 3SD (London Fields rail/Hackney Central overground)
Pop on your onesies and nighties for this pyjama themed family rave led by the irrepressible Big Fish Little Fish party crew in Hackney. DJ Slim Dean (Select Radio) plays his BFLF debut, so prepare for some thumping house and garage tunes to take you back in time. Post-rave parents meet pre-school ravers at these fun, everybody’s happy events, so don’t miss out if you’re umming and aahhing over whether to grab a ticket. BFLF also provide 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 (Jun 11)

Sun:Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Grab your husband, a mate or even your teeniest one (in a baby carrier) at this ultimate family friendly dance party. Step lively to the folksy grooves of an on-site band, with a live caller letting you know when to do-si-do. The music is a mix of familiar folk tunes, 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 (Jun 11)

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: Moana (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jun 10)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Shaun the Sheep Movie at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jun 10)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jun 10)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Muppets Most Wanted at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jun 10)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Genevieve at 12.30pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jun 11)

COMING SOON

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) (Jun 25)

Booking Ahead

The Borrowers at Polka Theatre (Jun 16-Aug 20)
Moana Sing-Along at Prince Charles Cinema (Jun 17 & Jul 29)
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)