We’re mid way through the month, and before you know it, Easter holidays will be upon us. There’s a touch of spring in the air today, so I was a bit disheartened to hear there’s snow on the way this weekend. Don’t let that stop you from getting out and about – there’s loads on in the London Kids Weekend Scoop!
On Sunday, you can head to Trafalgar Square for the massive and FREE St Patrick’s Day Parade, complete with floats, workshops, food stalls and a fabulous atmosphere. Happy St Patrick’s Day (did you know he’s also the patron saint of Nigeria?). Have an awesome weekend x
Whats on in London with Kids this Weekend
Fri-Sun: So You Think You Know about Dinosaurs at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd tube)
Take a trip back to the pre-historic era, in this wild adventure with dino aficionado Dr Ben Garrod. So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs is the hit stage show that leads intrepid audiences on a deep dive into the world of the earth’s deadliest predators ever. Learn everything about Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus, Spinosaurus and more! Parents go against all-knowing kids as Dr Ben presents his educational, interactive show, using footage from the BBC’s ‘Planet Dinosaur’. 2.30pm; £15.50/£12.50, family ticket £50 (Mar 16-18)
Fri-Sun: Move it Dance Weekend at ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL (Prince Regent (for ExCel) DLR)
It’s the UK’s biggest annual festival of dance, with instructors, performers and enthusiasts from all genres descending on E16. Tens of thousands of dancers and dance fans will come to ‘Move It’, showing off their finest flips, dips and tricks. See pop-up acts, try your hand at everything from salsa to street dance, plus watch Bollywood, Flamenco, tap and other art forms performed by experts. There’s even a super swish roller rink, where all levels can try out their moves at the roller disco. Hang out in the evening for the Move It! x Capezio Dance Championships, a search for new talent, judged by an all-star panel. Varying times; adult day pass £17, 2-days £28, 3-days £40.50/child day pass £13, 2 days £21, 3 days £30.50/family day pass £52, 2-days £86, 3 days £126 (Mar 16-18)
Fri-Sun: Ideal Home Show at Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, W14 8UX (Kensington Olympia tube)
It’s interior heaven for two weeks at Olympia London, as the Ideal Home Show takes over once again. Take your mum, your bestie, or the whole brood to explore the latest in high-tech gadgetry, kitchen fittings, garden design and other home inspiration. Look out for VIP guests, cookery demos, luxury showcases, Ideal Champagne Bar and Pamper Lounge. This year, there’s a Royal Wedding Cake competition in celebration of the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 10am-5pm (Mon-Wed), 10am-9pm (Thu), 10am-6pm (Fri-Sun); weekday adult £14 adv, £20 door/weekend adult £16 adv, £22 door/VIP tickets £30-£40/child under 15 FREE but require ticket (Mar 17-Apr 2)
Fri-Sun: Picasso and Go Swinging at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Take your kids to see the dazzling Picasso exhibition at Tate Modern. Then treat them after to some joyful swinging on the playful installation by Danish artist collective Superflex. You can sit on any one of 30 swing sets, each designed for three people to work together. See what it takes to resist gravity and defy the laws of nature. One Two Three Swing! All ages welcome, these are large swings though so mums and dads should keep a close watch on your little swingers! 10am-6pm (Sun-Thu), 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat); FREE (until Apr 2, 2018)
Fri-Sun: The Making of Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Are you brave enough to visit the hidden forest where Aragog and other creatures roam free? Meet the gigantic spider, a life size Buckbeak (the Hippogriff), and find out all about the magic behind the Forbidden Forest. NB: If spiders aren’t your bag, just let one of the tour guides know and they’ll take you on a spider-free route! First tours from 9am, last tours from 6.30-6.45pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £39-£41/child from £31-£33/family from £124-£132/ages 0-4 FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (ongoing)
Sat: Mini Maestro Family Concert: Vivaldi at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross tube)
These hugely popular and engaging early years concerts are put on by the London Musical Arts Ensemble with conductor John Landor. This week, you and your little ones are invited on a voyage with Mozart, where the instruments will tell a story – with a little sprinkling of Handel’s Water Music. Meet and greet the musicians too. All ages, best for 5+. 4.30pm; adult £10/child £8 (Mar 17)
Sat: Little Folk with Albo at The Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way, SW19 2RD (South Wimbledon tube)
Get those teeny hands and feet up and moving at another of these lively concerts with singer/guitarist Al Clogston (Albo). The popular ‘kinder music’ star busts out American campfire tunes, family friendly folk songs and other familiar favourites, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is a fun, all ages welcome activity that’s especially suitable for kids ages 0 to 5. 10.30-11.15am, adult/child £5, newborns FREE (Mar 17)
Sun: Sausage Walk London 2018, from King William Walk, Greenwich Park, SE10 (Cutty Sark DLR)
As the Big Apple Hot Dogs family, we have a bit of a thing about sausage dogs (geddit?). So I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the #SausageWalkLondon, taking place this Sunday in Greenwich Park. Meet at the entrance off King William Walk, and head off for a friendly trot with fellow dachshund lovers. Afterwards, you can warm up with a drink at the Kings Arms pub. A family (and dog) friendly day out for all ages. 1pm, FREE (Mar 18)
Sun: Mwalimu Express African family adventure at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Get back on the Mwalimu Express, an African styled soul train for your whole family. This is a wonderful, accessible and open-hearted affair for people of all ages and ethnicities. A free, relaxing afternoon of live music, DJ, arts and crafts, food stalls and film! DJs Rita Ray and Max Einhardt keep the tunes spinning, while families play African board games with the Oware society, groove out to Parent and Toddler dance, or settle down to watch an African film/Nollywood blockbuster. This weekend, catch a bubbly performance from Senegalese griot/singer Kadialy Kouyate on stage. All ages welcome. 2pm-6pm, FREE (Mar 18 & 3rd Sundays monthly)
Sun:Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Doh-si-doh with your partner — however big or small, at this hugely popular family dance concert. You can hop, skip and skedaddle to ditties of a live folk band, as a caller tells you when to curtsey or figure 8. The music is a mix of traditional folk, country, Ceilidh and other styles from the British isles. All ages welcome. Groups should include a minimum of one adult for every four children, under 5s must be accompanied by an adult. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Mar 18)
Sun: Family Day: Autumn Garden Art at Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground)
Spring is (almost) hear, and the birds are getting busy in the garden! Our feathered friends were a huge inspiration to Keats when he was writing poetry. Come along to another fun family event, where you can create your own colourful bird from feathers, glitter and streamers. A great little decoration to hang up at home. All ages welcome. 2pm-4pm drop in; FREE (Mar 18)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Sculpt Your Style, John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Get inspired by the RA’s Charles I exhibition, and create a range of regal costumes. Anything from ruffles and feathers to cavalier hats. You can design and decorate accessories to spruce up for your royal portrait. Or make your own clay bust to take home as a souvenir. All ages welcome. Drop-in 11am-3pm; FREE (Mar 18)
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)
Molly Monster (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Mar 17)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Eleanor’s Secret at 2pm (Sat): £5 (Mar 17)
Eleanor’s Secret at 11am (Sun); £5 (Mar 18)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
The Incredibles at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Mar 17)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Messy Goes to Okido (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Mar 17)
Finding Dory 2D at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Mar 18)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Finding Dory 2D at 11am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
House of Vans: Little Rippers Film Club at Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
Skate Skool for Little Rippers, followed by screening of classic family films every weekend.
Movie of the Week at 10.15am & 12pm (Sats) & 12.15pm (Suns) – times vary slightly; FREE (Mar 17-18)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (Mar 17-18)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Finding Dory 2D at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Mar 10)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Princess Bride (animated) at 11.30am; £1.75 (Mar 17)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Finding Dory 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 17)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Mar 17-18)
Whirled Cinema: Kids Whirled, 259 Hardess Street, SE24 0HN (Loughborough Junction rail/Brixton tube)
Paddington 2 at 10.30am (doors) for 11am (film); adult/child £3 (Mar 17)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Watership Down at 1.10pm; adult £8/child £4 (Mar 17) and at 1.40pm (Apr 2)
Bambi (U) at 3.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (Mar 18)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Whisper of the Heart at 3.15pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Mar 18)
Coming Soon
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Easter Special: Early Man at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Mar 25)
Booking Ahead
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)
Nibble & Squeak at the Garden Cafe (Mar 24)
Time Travel Club: Second World War Spies (Mar 24)
Fun DMC: Jazzie B Special at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (Mar 25)
Don’t forget to follow @Babesabouttown on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
Hamlet in Africa (Babes Review)
