London Kids Weekend Scoop (Feb 22-25, 2018)

 

 
We’ve had an amazing February so far with the epic Black Panther release, incredible Hamilton the Musical (my birthday treat), birthdays galore… and more fun lined up in the London Kids Weekend Scoop. There’s plenty of family raving with Big Fish Little Fish in Hackney, How Does it Feel to be Loved in the West End and Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound. Don’t miss your last chance to go ice skating in Canary Wharf. Have a great weekend!

Fantastic Things to Do with Kids in London

 

 
Thu-Sat: Canary Wharf Ice Rink, Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR)
LAST CHANCE: Get your skates on for 16 weeks of icy action on the 1300 sq m rink and skate path. Skate under the park’s enchanting canopy of trees, grab a drink at the rink-side bar, or pop into restaurants and shops surrounding the ice rink. 12.15pm-9.45pm (Mon-Thu), 10.45am-10.45pm (Fri), 9am-10.30pm (Sat-Sun); holiday hours 9am-10.30pm (Dec 11-Jan 4), early closing 9.15pm Christmas Eve & Boxing Day, closed Christmas Day (until Feb 24)

Thu-Sat: Kids Go Free at the Houses of Parliament Family Tours, Westminster, SW1A 0AA (Westminster tube)
Discover what makes the wheels of power turn, at these behind the scenes of Parliament guided tours for kids and families. These lunchtime tours whizz you through the House of Lords and House of Commons chambers, St Stephen’s Hall and Westminster Hall. Why not also book for Afternoon Tea at the Houses of Parliament? All ages welcome, tours are best for ages 7-12. 1.30pm & 3pm on Tue-Fri (Apr 3-13), Wed-Fri (May 30-Jun 1), & Sat (every Sat until Jul 18); adult £18.50/child under 15 FREE (until Jul 18, 2018)

Sat: Mardi Gras Brixton at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
Hey hey! February is Carnival month and Pop Brixton and 7Suns are celebrating with their third annual Mardi Gras Brixton! New Orleans comes to south London as Pop Brixton is transformed into a mini French quarter. Authentic N’Awlins music from Dom Pipkin and The Iko’s – The Soul of New Orleans will get the good times rolling, along with former New Orleans resident, DJ Lil’ Koko spinning some tasty vinyl cuts of 50’s RnB, funk and brass. See a stellar line-up of live music on the Pop Box stage, including headliners Dat Brass pumping out ‘brass licks, sax riffs, rap spits & hat hits’. Throughout the day, there are crafting activities for kids and grownups, fancy dress contest and more. Plus tuck into yummy Louisiana themed food and drink – and get your fortune told for free. All ages welcome for daytime and early evening activities. 12pm-11.45pm; FREE entry (Feb 24)

Sat: Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP (Elephant & Castle/Borough tube)
RAVE-A-ROO is back with more cheesy afternoon disco fun for parents and little ones! Join Rave-A-Roo artists Go! Go! Go! (Dance Set) as seen on Nick Jr and others for live music and DJs, stage performances, confetti action, neon crafting, Glow Chill Room, Funky Soft Play room, Old Skool Rave Room and UV tattoo station. Best for kids ages 10 and under, and their hyped up mums and dads. 12.45pm-3pm & 4pm-6.15pm; £12.10 early bird, £14.85 adv, £25 door/group discounts available/babies in arms go FREE but require ticket (Feb 24)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Adventures in Peter Pan’s Neverland at Museum of London Docklands E14 4AL (Canary Wharf DLR)
Do you love Peter Pan as much as we do? Well grab your teddy and sprinkle yourself with fairy dust, you’ll be off for a magical adventure at Museum of London Docklands. The museum is hosting two weekends of costumed fun and games, transforming its space into Neverland for some interactive entertainment. Take part in pirate recruitment sessions (and risk bumping into Captain Hook!); hunt for Peter’s shadow; sing your heart out with mermaids; and get up to no good with the Lost Boys. Create your own crafts, watch out for a ticking crocodile, and settle in for a special screening of the Disney movie Peter Pan. All ages welcome. 10.45am-3.45pm & 1.45pm-6.45pm; adult £8.50/child age 2-4 £4/child age 5+ £6.50/ages 0-2 FREE but require ticket (Feb 24-25 & Mar 3-4)

Sat-Sun: Granddad’s Island at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
In the whole wide world, Syd has one person he cares about most: Granddad. And the feeling is mutual. The award-winning book by Benji Davies is adapted for the stage by the team behind Red Riding Hood and Flat Stanley. Follow the perky pair of Syd and his Granddad as they embark on a life-changing adventure, filled with laughter, music and… jungles! Ages 5-8, all ages welcome performances this weekend (Sat Feb 24 & Sun Feb 25). Showtimes: 11am & 2.30pm (Feb 24-25, Mar 4), 12.30pm & 3.30pm (Mar 3); £13.50/concs £10 (Feb 22-Mar 3)

 

 
Sun: How Does It Feel to Be Loved at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Popular club night How Does It Feel to Be Loved bring their indie kids disco to London at The Phoenix, W1. Fresh off the fields of End of the Road Festival, HDIF Children’s Disco provides a laid-back session for fans of indie music and classic soul. Expect anything from The Smiths to Otis Redding. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Feb 25)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish x Camp Bestival Nautical Rave at Hangar, Sidworth Street, London Fields, E8 (Hackney overground/London Bridge rail)
Well, shiver me timbers. It’s time to get nautical by nature again with world famous Big Fish Little Fish and Camp Bestival on their ‘Around the world in 18 Raves’ festival warm up tour. DJ POsthuman (I Love Acid/Altern 8) makes his BFLF debut, banging out a full acid house set, plus more house, hip hop, drum ’n’ bass and party classics being spun for you and your mini movers. Captain Cookie runs a shipshape craft area, plus there’s all the usual BFLF fun including Villa Pia baby chill out, . Everyone has a chance to win a family ticket to Camp Bestival and have fun in their photo booth! Ages 0-8 and their families. 2pm-4.30pm; adult £10/child £7/pre-walking infant FREE (Feb 25)

Sun: Jay Foreman’s Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children at Watermans, 40 High Street Brentford, London TW8 0DS (Kew Bridge overground)
Fresh off BBC Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra, The One Show, London Live TV and Dave Gorman’s UK/Ireland tour, Jay Foreman arrives at Waterman stage for an afternoon of uproarious entertainment. The award-winning musical comedian is renowned for his cheeky stories (compared to Roald Dahl), songs, poems, comedy and more aimed at children of all ages. A regular sellout at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this is one show you don’t want to miss. For ages 6-11 and grownups. 3pm-4pm; £8/concs £6/family £30 (Feb 25)

 

 
Sun: African Superheroes Day at Golborne Youth Centre, opposite Skate Park, 66 Acklam Road, W10 5YU (Westbourne Park tube)
Have you seen Black Panther? I’m still buzzing off this film! And in the spirit of #WakandaForever, I’m thrilled to hear that this 3 hour festival of African comics is back by popular demand. Bringing a fresh perspective to the superhero scene, you can hear tales of magical Nigerian women warriors, Anansi the West African folk character, Ogun and Oshun, teenage black superheroes and more. Fabulously inspiring for people of all backgrounds and especially for young kids seeking more empowering images of Black people in the media they consume. The event is organised by Black History Walks and sponsored by Eye London Glasses. For ages 6 to 60! 3pm-6pm; £8 (Feb 25 & Mar 4)

Sun: His Dark Materials Part 1 at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd tube)
Based on the hugely popular fantasies by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials whips us away into a strange and magical universe. This coming of age story follows Lyra and Will on a dark and dangerous quest through parallel worlds. They’ll battle soul-sucking spectres and evil cliff ghasts, encounter witch-clans of the Arctic Witches, armoured bears and child-catching Gobblers. Journey with them by Bear and hot-air balloon through an alternate Oxford and beyond and discover a prophecy that could change the world as we know it. Theatretrain Camden youth theatre bring this thrilling tale to life. No age guidance as yet, but recommended for older kids and their grownups. 6pm; £12.50 (Feb 25)

Sun: London Fiddle Convention at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Add a new string to your family fun bow at the London Fiddle Convention, a unique gathering of some of the Capital’s finest fiddlers. You’ll hear and see some amazing playing, mingle with music lovers and buy some fiddle stuff. Afternoon sessions include a Children’s Workshop (2pm-3pm, £5), and a tutors’ concert that’s free to all workshop participants. Stick around for the talent contest in the evening and be inspired to make music of your own. 12.45pm-9pm; £33 day pass/£28 concs; kids workshop just £5 and free for accompanying adult (Feb 25)

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)
Mune: Guardian of the Moon (PG), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Feb 24)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
The Last Unicorn at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Feb 24)

Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Paddington 2 at 16.20pm; adult/child £2 (Feb 23)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 11am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Ferdinand at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (Feb 24-25)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Feb 24)

Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Only Yesterday (PG) at 3.15pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Feb 24)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Aladdin at 11.30am; £1.75 (Feb 24)

Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Despicable Me at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 3)

Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24)

Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Ferdinand (U) at 10am; adult/child £2 (Feb 24-25)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Sunday Funday: Paddington 2: adult £11.75/child £4 (Feb 25)

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Coco at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Feb 25)

Booking Ahead

Glisten a show for babies 0-18 months, at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Feb 28-Mar 4)
Big Fish Little Fish Mother’s Day Rave at Scala, Kings Cross (Mar 11)
Windibops at Jacksons Lane, Highgate(Mar 11)
Disco Loco: Mind, Body & Soul at Hackney Showroom (Mar 11)
Recipes for Wonder at Royal Institution (Mar 11)
So You Think You Know about Dinosaurs at Pleasance theatre, Islington (Mar 16-18)
Mwalimu Express African family club at Rich Mix, Shoreditch (Mar 18)
Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Mar 23)
The Great British Seaside exhibition at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Mar 23-Sep 30)
Fun DMC: Jazzie B Special at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (Mar 25)