Hey everyone! Have you recovered after the endless summer (felt quite short to me) and back to school shenanigans. The London Kids Weekend Scoop is packed with everything from a classic boat festival to a pirate rave!
I’m still in shock that Ezra has started secondary school. Doesn’t he look smart in his blazer and tie?
Don’t forget to follow Babes about Town on Instagram @BabesaboutTown to keep up with us all over London and beyond.
London Kids Weekend Scoop
Fri-Sat: The Wind in the Willows at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
LAST CHANCE: 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+. Previews from this Father’s Day weekend! 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 (until Sep 9)
Fri-Sun: St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival, St Katharine Docks, E1W 1LA (Tower Hill tube/Tower Gateway DLR)
The 9th annual fiesta of classic boats returns for another dockside takeover. Colourful vintage sailing and motor yachts draw the crowds, while the massive pull for little ones is getting to climb aboard, meet the skippers and learn some maritime history. There’s drop-in canoe trials with Moo Canoes and fun and games with Sharky & George Pirate Club. The weekend also includes food and craft stalls, pop up performances, live music and more. All ages, part of Totally Thames festival. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Sep 8-10)
Fri-Sun: What the Ladybird Heard at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
LAST CHANCE: Julia Donaldson seems to have cracked the code for lively, educational storytelling that works equally well on the page or the stage. Here it’s her collaboration with Lydia Monks that’s been adapted for the theatre, for a West End run this summer. Puppets, music and audience interaction come together in this tale of two sneaky robbers trying to steal a prize cow. But they get their comeuppance from the unlikeliest source. Lots of farm fresh fun! Recommended for ages 3+. 11am & 2pm (Tue-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun): ticket range £14.50-£25.50/family £65 (Jul 5-Sep 10)
Sat: The Great River Race, Millwall Slipway, Westferry Road E14 3QS to riverside below Ham House, Ham, Richmond, TW10 7RS (Mudchute DLR – start/Richmond tube/overground – finish)
Another brilliant London event that takes place every year, from London Docklands to Ham in Surrey. It offers spectators a chance to see 300+ boats from across the globe race each other in what’s known as the ‘Thames marathon’. Europe’s most quirky river race features boats of all shapes and sizes including naval whalers, jolly boats, Chinese dragon boats, Hawaiian war canoes, jolly boats, Viking longships and more. All ages, part of Totally Thames festival. 10.45am-7pm, FREE (Sep 9)
Sat: Dennis the Menace & Gnasher Skate School Takeover at BAYSIXTY6, Acklam Road, London W10 5YU (Ladbroke Grove/Westbourne Park tube)
Learn the signature skating skills of Dennis & Gnasher at West London skate park, BAYSIXTY6, launching this weekend in London. The park will have a Dennis-striped makeover for this 8-week course, aimed at first-time skaters. Experts will be on hand to help little rippers perfect their moves, and there will be comics and goodies up for grabs. The Beano skate school takeover at BAYSIXTY6 is to mark the release of brand new kids show, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed, showcasing their board based adventures alongside Beanotown buddies. Ages 6+. 10am-12pm (Sats only, apart from a 1 week session over October half term); £5 per session, equipment available for hire (Sep 9-Nov 4)
Sat: Hidden River Festival, Redmond Community Centre, New River Path, Woodberry Wetlands, N4 2HF (Manor House tube)
Come and celebrate Woodberry Down, an extraordinary wetland oasis in the heart of east London, at their annual Hidden River Festival. You can walk along the river, take part in a wetland treasure hunt, shop for handcrafted goodies, enjoy live music, body painting, circus acts, even have a go at canoeing. And it’s all free! All ages welcome. 12pm-6.30pm, FREE (Sep 9)
Sat: Roald Dahl Day: Make Your Wonka Bar at the Chocolate Museum, The Chocolate Museum, 187 Ferndale Road, SW9 8BA (Brixton tube)
The Chocolate Museum will be throwing a mini bash for beloved children’s author Roald Dahl, on his 101st birthday! Come and make chocolate Wonka bars inspired by the ones you’ve dreamed about while reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can choose your own chocolate, decorate and create your own packaging too. A delicious Saturday treat for ages. 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm sessions, £12 — hurry, tickets going fast! (Sep 9)
Sat-Sun: On Blackheath Festival (main picture), Blackheath Common, SE3 0UA (Lewisham, Blackheath, Greenwich rail/North Greenwich tube)
One of the best London festivals returns this weekend, with a stomping line-up including The Libertines, Basement Jaxx, Jake Bugg, Metronomy Seasick Steve, KT Tunstall and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. There’s additional music stages curated by Gilles Peterson + more special guests. And don’t miss our mate, the wonderful Sam Sam Bubble Man joining none other than Julian Clary, Michael Rosen, Mister Maker and Basil Brush on stage. Plus Food Village for stalls, demos and supper club; kids area, dance floor, hula hooping, workshops and tons of family fun. Adult day ticket £54.50, weekend £99 (disabled adult tickets same price but includes 1 adult carer)/child 5-12 day ticket £11, weekend £54.50/under 5ss FREE but ticket required (Sep 9-10)
Sat-Sun: Kings Cross Classic Car Boots Sale, Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4UZ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Vroom vroom. Get yourself in gear for one of the coolest events of September. Retro motor fans and lovers of all things vintage converge for the Classic Car Boots Sale at Kings X. Stalls, live music and DJs, fashion, street food, street theatre, people watching and the buzz of a fast-changing neighbourhood. New this year: B-Spoke, a bike bazaar for cycling enthusiasts. Sounds like a great day out for all ages. All day; £5 entry, many activities FREE (Sep 9-10)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Pirate Family Rave at The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
Yaaaargh! Pirates ahoy for the return of our fave ravers Big Fish Little Fish, fresh from conquering Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and other treasure chests. All aboard for a family friendly boogie, captained by Huw Bunford from Super Furry Animals who will DJ the entire set for a booty(shaking) crowd! Also get stuck in with Happy Monkey craft room with Captain Cookie, free glowstick and transfer tattoos, colouring mural, licensed bar, cake stalls, play area, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. Villa Pia babies and crawlers room offers chill out mats and soft play ball pool. Top times and tunes for ages 0-8 and their carers. 2pm-4.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Sep 10)
Sun: Camden Arts Centre Summer Takeover, Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG (Finchley Rd & Frognal overground)
The annual Summer Takeover at Camden Arts Centre is a brilliant free day of festivities, drawing on inspiration from the current exhibitions by Daniel Richter and Jennifer Tee. Artists India Harvey, Phil Root and Soofiya Andry lead a range of activities, from folding, cutting and sticking, to clay workshops, to weaving on a neon light loom. There will be fun, interactive tours of the exhibitions and hot food and drink all day in the cafe. All ages. 2pm-4.30pm, FREE (Sep 13)
From Mon: Footloose at Peacock Theatre, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Everybody cut footloose, kick off your Sunday shoes! It’s nostalgia time at Peacock Theatre when Footloose bursts back onto the scene. The ‘80s dance movie sensation has been remastered for the stage for 2017, with catchy new choreography, but the same old tunes that will have you dancing in the aisles. Follow this (somewhat random) narrative of a city boy who transforms a small town through rock ’n’ roll. Ages 10+ recommended (scenes of a mild sexual nature). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sats & Wed 27), 2pm & 6.30pm (Sun); £15-£55/child under 16 half price (Sep 12-30)
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 Adventures of Prince Achmed, 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Sep 9)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Born Free at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Sep 9)
Eleanor’s Secret (Sep 16)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Sep 9)
Spark: A Space Tail (Sep 16)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
A Goofy Movie at 11.30am; £1.75 (Sep 9)
The Emoji Movie (Sep 16)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Willow at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Sep 10)
COMING SOON
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Cars 3 at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Oct 1)
August Bank Holiday Weekend Scoop (Aug 25-28, 2017)
