We’re back with our first London Kids Weekend Scoop of the summer term. How was your Easter break? We enjoyed a night at Leeds Castle, among other fantastic activities around London — reviews to come soon. Don’t forget to follow @Babesabouttown on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for insider updates.
Isn’t it thrilling to have all this sunshine at last? This weekend’s a busy one, with the London Marathon, as well as St George’s Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square (12pm-6pm). In the S coop, you’ll find London Children’s Ballet, Earth Day activities, dinosaurs and more. Take a look!
Fun things to do with London Kids this Weekend
Thu-Sun: Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams at Underbelly Festival, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Underbelly Festival is back at Southbank Centre for more circus, theatre, cabaret, street food, and baby discos than you can shake your moneymaker at. Head there ASAP to catch their highlight show: the simply dazzling Circus Abyssinia. We were blown away by this African troupe, one of the world’s first full-blown Ethiopian circuses. Look out for a full review on the blog soon, meanwhile also book in for intergalactic mayhem with Aliens Love Underpants (Apr 9-Jun 3), and more family fun with The Amazing Bubble Man (Apr 21-May 29). Circus Abyssinia is at 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 3pm & 6pm (Sat), 6pm (Sun); tickets from £15.50 (Apr 6-May 20)
Thu-Sun: Star Wars Secrets of the Empire: A HyperReality Experience at The VOID at Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, Olympic Park, E20 1EJ (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
Visit a galaxy far, far away in this mind-blowing hyper-reality activity from Lucasfilm, ILMxLAB and The VOID. Working in teams of four, family and friends head on a mission to recover Imperial intelligence from the rebellion. You’ll arrive at the molten plane of Mustafar, where you must find your way around an enemy facility with droid K-2S0. Disguise yourself as a stormtrooper and use your blaster to fight lava monsters, solve clues and complete your assignment. Best suited for kids ages 10+ (minimum height 4ft or 122cm). 10am-9pm (timed slots); £30 (Mar 29-Jun 20)
Thu-Sun: Dinosaurs in the Wild at West Parkside Junction of West Parkside/John Harrison Way, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0BE (North Greenwich)
An adventure into the prehistoric past awaits at this one-of-a-kind experience in Greenwich. Hop on a virtual time machine and come nose to glass with some of the most fearsome creatures to walk the earth, from Stegosaurus to T-Rex. Disembark at the TimeBase 67 research station, where you can learn facts about dinosaurs, get hands-on with dino poo, and gawp at panoramic scenes. This is a really fun event (review coming soon) and lasts 70 mins. All ages welcome, best for ages 5+. Open 10am-4.30pm daily over Easter holidays, then closed Mondays (apart from Bank Holidays and half term); adult £29.50/child £26/family of 2 adults + 2 kids £23.74 per person/ages 2 and under FREE (Mar 30-Apr 15 daily, ongoing until Jul)
Fri-Sat: Badger’s Velvet Underground, Downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Rd, Brixton, SW9 8FR (Brixton tube)
Fans of iconic Little Badger knitwear label (as worn by Madonna’s kids) will be thrilled to learn its creator Ros Badger is launching a designers fair in Brixton this weekend. Badger’s Velvet Underground brings together an eclectic and dynamic mix of 40 designers and makers, for a carefully curated showcase of fashion, arts, homeware and accessories. All welcome. 6pm-9pm (Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat); adult £2 entry/child FREE (Apr 20-21)
Fri-Sun: London Children’s Ballet: The Canterville Ghost at Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
The ever popular London Children’s Ballet are back with an unusual and delightful performance based on a tale by Oscar Wilde. Set in the roaring 20s, The Canterville Ghost is about Sir Simon Canterville who has been haunting his family home for centuries, until an American brood moves in. Soon he’s caught between the youngest family members who enjoy taunting him, and the older sister who wants to set him free. This show is performed entirely by children, to a live orchestra. Ages 4+. 6.30pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat) & 12.30pm & 4.30pm (Sun); £14-£55 (Apr 20-22)
Sat: Grant Museum of Zoology: Explore Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square tube)
The museum of zoological curiosities in the heart of London is a great place to while away an afternoon. Bring your teeny tigers along to investigate the sharpness of various species’ teeth and claws, the inside of a turtle’s shell, and other hands-on explorations. Lots to learn, for the little ones and adults too! All ages welcome. 1pm-4pm, FREE (Apr 21)
Sat-Sun: St George’s Day at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens (top photo), SE11 5HY (Vauxhall tube/rail)
The annual Feast of St George festival returns to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, for a medieval expression of food, folk music, falconry displays and traditional crafting. Enjoy music from Princes of the Tower, a hog roast, Punch & Judy shows, Morris Dancing, Shakespeare, dog show, ale and mead tent, and food stalls. The centrepiece is the Battle of the Nations tournament, with full contact medieval combat between international fighters. All ages welcome. 12pm-10pm (Sat) & 12pm-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (Apr 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Stories from Around the World at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd tube)
Buckle up, me hearties. You’re in for a twisty and bumpy ride around the globe, in the company of some highly inventive storytellers. Fusion Theatre takes you and your imagination on an epic journey including monkey armies, creepy crawlies and monsters of the deep. Only the bravest sailors should apply. Ages 4+. 2pm, £9 (Apr 21-22)
Sun: Shakespeare’s Birthday Storytelling: Henry V at Shakespeare’s Globe, Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Mansion House tube)
Take a trip to Shakespeare’s Globe for this morning storytelling activity, where you can explore the Bard’s popular characters, tales and lyrics as a family. A Globe storyteller will invite you into the heart of the play Henry V, as he battles to reclaim his kingdom. Best for ages 5+. The session lasts for an hour, and after, why not explore the historic Globe theatre? 11am, £10 (Apr 22)
Sun: Space Rocks, Indigo at the O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Hold onto your helmets, Space Rocks lands this weekend — a celebration of space exploration and the culture it inspires. Kids of all ages are invited to daytime talks and discovery sessions with leading lights, including astronaut Tim Peake and astrophysicist Dr Maggie Lieu. In Session 2, experts measure Science Fiction against Space Fact, and for Session 3, there’s live music from bands influenced by space travel – Charlotte Hatherley, Arcane Roots and Lonely Robot. All ages welcome, best suited for ages 8 to 12 and above. 12.30pm-2.30pm (Session 1), 3.30pm-6.30pm (Session 2), 7.30pm-10.30pm (Session 3); from £8 (Apr 22)
Sun: Earth Day Upcycling for Kids with National Geographic, Piccolo Play Centre, Duke Road, Chiswick, W4 2JR (Turnham Green tube)
Some days, you want to throw your hands up in the air in utter despair at the state of the planet. But on Earth Day, it’s time to take action! Join National Geographic Kids for an afternoon of responsible rafting, that will inspire creativity and a sense of purpose. Kids should bring their own plastic bottle from home, that they can magically transform into a glow-in-the-dark firefly lamp! Special guest MP Ruth Cadbury (Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth) will give a talk about tackling plastic waste and what the government is doing. Free copies of NGK mag and discount codes for subscribers available to all attendees, and all profits go to Child.org. 4pm-6pm, £15-£20 (Apr 22)
Sun: St George’s Day at Borough Market, 8 Southwark St, SE1 1TL (London Bridge tube)
The patron saint of England, as well as Lithuania, Ethiopia and Catalonia, is also the patron saint of farmers, butchers and shepherds! So where better to celebrate the Turkish-born Roman soldier than at Borough Market, where you can sample unique St George’s Day products from regular traders. The National Farmer’s Union is bringing their Discovery Barn along, so kids can try the Minute Milk Challenge, an interactive tractor experience, and other fun activities. There’s also cooking demos, George and the Dragon theatre, and maypole dancing from Folk Dance Remixed. All ages. 12pm-4pm; FREE entry (Apr 22)
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)
Mulan (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Apr 21)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Isle of Dogs at 2pm (Sat): £5 (Apr 21)
Isle of Dogs at 11am (Sun); £5 (Apr 22)
Isle of Dogs at 11am (Sun); £5 (Apr 29)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Early Man at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Apr 21)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Tee and Mo (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Apr 21)
Ferdinand at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Ferdinand 2D at 11am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
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 (Apr 21-22)
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 (Apr 21-22)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Ferdinand at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Apr 21)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Lion King at 11.30am; £1.75 (Apr 21)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Ferdinand 2D at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 21)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Early Man at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Apr 21-22)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Funday Preview: Mary & the Witch’s Flower: fun in the foyer at 11am, followed by screening at 12.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (Apr 22)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Howl’s Moving Castle at 5.30pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Apr 22)
Coming Soon
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Peter Rabbit at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Apr 29)
Booking Ahead
Concrete Dreams Weekend at Southbank Centre (Apr 27-29)
Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley at The Cockpit Theatre (Apr 28)
Big Fish Little Fish ‘Flower Power’ Family Rave with DJ Dave Minns at Bay 58 Bar, Ladbroke Grove (Apr 29)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (Apr 29)
Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells (May 5-7)
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: Peter Pan (May 17-Jun 15)
Nibble & Squeak baby-friendly dining club at Magpie (May 20)
Techtopia festival at Polka Theatre (May 24-Jun 3)
Royal Institution Family Fun Day: Science Fiction (Jun 2)
Wake Up Gigs baby friendly concert with Nick Mulvey (Jun 3)