How are you guys coping with all this snow? London has looked absolutely beautiful at times, although it’s getting a bit slushy and mucky now. Plus, it’s freezing! My hardy London kids have been going to school relentlessly though, apart from Jed missing out on World Book Day with a mild tummy bug. Didn’t he look cute in his outfit?
Don’t forget to follow @Babesabouttown on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all our fun about town (and my random musings). Wrap up warm and enjoy the London Kids Weekend Scoop!
12+ Cool Things to Do with London Kids (Even when it’s Chilly Outside)!
Fri-Sat: Othello at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
LAST CHANCE: Belgian playwright Ignace Cornelissen puts a refreshing spin on the classical tragedy by old William Shakespeare, retold for younger audiences. When soldier Othello falls for Desdemona, the Senator’s daughter, it’s the start of a roller coaster journey exploring prejudice, jealousy and the feelings that blind us to the truth. Othello at Unicorn Theatre
is suitable for ages 8-12, tickets £8-£18 (Feb 3-Mar 3)
Fri-Sun: DC Exhibition: Dawn of the Super Heroes, The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Move over, Marvel. It’s time to celebrate the DC cannon at the O2’s brand new exhibition, straight from its successful run in Paris. Immerse yourself in the rich mythology of Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Mr Freeze, The Joker, Penguin and more. The show features more than 200 original comic pages, concept artworks, plus 45 original costumes, models and props. See Lynda Carter’s iconic Wonder Woman costume from the ‘70s and get close to Christopher Reeve’s Superman cape! All ages welcome. 9.30am-6pm entry (daily); general tickets £10-£10/under 5s FREE. Premium tickets: adult £30/child £15/family, tickets include exclusive goody bag (Feb 23-Sep 9s)
Fri-Sun: Take Your Baby to the Movies, multiple London locations
A lovely reader brought it to my attention that my parent and baby cinema guide was out of date. Yikes! So I spent a good amount of time fixing up the links and adding new venues. So now you have an updated guide to where to watch the best new releases with your bubba in tow. These screenings are aimed at parents with babies under 1 typically and feature dimmed lighting, lowered sound, and special offers for mums and dads. A brilliant way to escape #snowmageddon and meet new parents in your area too. Times, dates and prices vary. (ongoing)
Fri-Sun: Grab a Cup of Cocoa with your Kids, multiple London locations
When it’s blistering outside, don’t you just want to wrap yourself around a hot cup of cocoa? I love taking the babes on hot chocolate dates, and I’ve just posted my London Hot Chocolate Crawl: a guide to the best cocoa drinking spots around the capital. Slurp. (ongoing)
Fri-Sun: Kids Skating at Queens Skate, Dine and Bowl, 17 Queensway, W2 4QP (Queensway/Bayswater tube)
If you’re not already weary of slipping and sliding on the icy streets, take your kids for a spin at the only central London ice rink that’s open year-round. You can join in regular family sessions, or book them in for Saturday skate tuition. Or why not get all Mighty Ducks inspired, and get them into a Kids Ice Hockey lesson? You can warm up in the cafe, while keeping an eye on them and there’s burgers and stronger drinks at MeatLiquor if you fancy. There’s also bowling, arcades and more. Open daily: 10am-11pm (Mon-Thu & Sun), 10am-midnight (Fri-Sat); various times and prices for activities (ongoing)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish ‘Flower Power’ Rave at Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY (New Cross gate overground/New Cross rail)
Feeling cold? Warm up with a dance floor workout at a Big Fish Little Fish family rave. Having just won yet another Family Arts Award, the party crew are back for some more south London mayhem, with DJ Christian Laing (Buttoned Down Disco) and DJ Camanda. Expect everything from indie/house to old skool, electro, hip hop and drum ’n’ bass as parents and their little ones hit the floor. There’s also Captain Cookie crafting, Villa Pia baby chill out area, glowsticks, glitter cannons, parachute finale and licensed bar. Ages 0-8 and their families. 2pm-4.30pm; adult £10/child £7/pre-walking infant FREE (Mar 3)
Sat: Whodunnit? at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
If you’re in the Stratford area this weekend, why not pop into Discover for some crime-solving fun with the little ones. You get to play criminal and detective at this event, by recreating the perfect crime using props, costumes and images. Or making up your own digital detective comic on iPads. Can you unravel all the clues and solve the crime in time? In association with Salmagundi Films. All ages welcome. 1pm-4pm; adult £6.50/child age 2+ £6.50/child age 1 £2/under 1s FREE (Mar 3)
Sat-Sun: 5th South London Raspberry Jam, The Green Man, 355 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP (Beckenham Hill/Bellingham rail)
It’s the 6th birthday for Raspberry Pi and The Green Man in south London are throwing a party with 100 other Raspberry Jams happening worldwide. Bring your little geeks along for an afternoon of coding, building wearables accessories, robot workshops, augmented reality, Minecraft hacks and more. Perfect STEM fun and no previous experience is required. Best for ages 5 to 15. 12.45pm-3.45pm, FREE (Mar 3-4)
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 (Mar 3-4)
Sat-Sun: Grandad’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 (until Mar 4)
Sun: South London Gallery: Sunday Spot with Sofia Niazi (top picture), 65-67 Peckham Rd, SE5 8UH (Oval/Vauxhall tube then bus 36 or 46/Elephant & Castle tube then bus 12 or 171, Peckham Rye rail)
Sofia Niazi of OOMK leads two Sunday drop-in workshops for kids and families, following on from a six month residency with The Big Family Press at Oliver Goldsmith Primary School. The goal is to transform Clore Studio into an experimental, child-led, printing press, using a variety of DIY tools. This Saturday (Mar 4), participants will make risk-printed designs to create personal knowledge maps. Next Saturday (Mar 11), families can design and print flags and banners to stake their claim on the neighbourhood. Then you can take your flag on a local march, or make it part of the exhibition’s installation. Sunday Spot is an ongoing series of free family activities, every Sunday from 2-4pm. For ages 3-12 and families. 2pm-4pm (gallery open from 11am-6pm), FREE (Mar 4 & 11)
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 (Mar 4)
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)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Mar 3)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
En Sortant de L’Ecole – Paul Eluard at 2pm (Sat) & 11am (Sun); £5 (Mar 3 & Mar 11)
Early Man at 2pm (Sat) & 11am (Sun): £5 (Mar 4 & Mar 10)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Tales of Beatrix Potter at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Mar 3)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Tangled at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Bolt at 16.20pm; adult/child £2 (Mar 2)
Tangled at 11am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
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 3-4)
Kino Bermondsey: Kids Club, 10 Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN (0207 3576845)
Ferdinand (Sat/Sun) around 11am; child £8/accompanying adult FREE (additional adult £8) (Mar 3/4)
NB: Get Kids Club card stamped and after 5 stamps, the 6th child ticket is free!
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Captain Underpants at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (Mar 3)
Olympic Cinema: Kids Club, 117-123 Church Road, Barnes SW13 9HL (Hammersmith tube/Barnes or Barnes Bridge rail)
Tad the Lost Explorer at 10am (Sat/Sun) adult/child £5 (Mar 3/4)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Tangled at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Mar 3)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Ponyo at 3.30pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Mar 3)
Porco Rosso at 1.15pm & 3.40pm (Mar 4)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Coco at 11.30am; £1.75 (Mar 3)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Tangled at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Ferdinand (U) at 10am; adult/child £2 (Mar 3-4)
Whirled Cinema: Kids Whirled, 259 Hardess Street, SE24 0HN (Loughborough Junction rail/Brixton tube)
The Red Balloon at 10.30am (doors) for 11am (film); adult/child £3 (Mar 3)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Bambi (U) at 1.20pm (Mar 4) & 3.30pm (Mar 18); adult £8/child £4 (Mar 4 & 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
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)
London Hot Chocolate Crawl
