London Kids Weekend Scoop (Apr 27-29, 2018)

 

 
TGIF. We’re so happy it’s Friday and we’re bringing you another action-packed London Kids Weekend Scoop. Lots on including Zoo Nation at Southbank Centre, Classic Car Boot Sale in Kings X, Moomins in NW8, dancing with Big Fish Little Fish or How Does it Feel to be Loved, or making your own album cover at Serpentine Gallery Family Weekend. Sounds cool? Read on.
 

London Kids Weekend Scoop: What’s Hot for Families

 

 
Fri-Sun: Concrete Dreams Weekend at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube/rail)
This weekend sees a huge celebration of the Southbank Centre’s 1960s buildings, blending urban dance, classical Indian music, exhibitions and more. Fans of the Southbank Centre are invited on a tour of the site’s 50 year history, as a complement to the Concrete Dreams exhibition. Highlights include Introduction to Hip Hop workshop with Zoo Nation, Little Movers contemporary dance workshop with Rambert, family gamelan taster workshop, 60s Big Sing, Chineke Junior Orchestra and a carnival procession with Kinetica Bloco. All ages welcome. Times vary, FREE (Apr 27-29)

Sat: Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley (main pic) at The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH (Edgware Rd/Marylebone Rd tube)
Enter the world of the Moomins in this magical show by Get Lost & Found, based on the best-loved tales by Tove Jansson. Visit Moominvalley to see Moomintroll waking up midwinter with a ‘something-wrong-feeling’ and wondering what his good friend Snufkin has disappeared to. Puppets, original music, interactive storytelling and a pop-up book set create a stimulating show for audiences ages 3-7. 2pm & 3.15pm, £7/family of 4 £24 (local discounts available, bring proof of address) (Apr 28)

 

 
Sat-Sun: Serpentine Gallery Family Weekend: Our Album, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
Feeling groovy? Bring your vinyl junkies in the making along to this family workshop with artist Harold Offeh, where you can create your a musical album cover. Inspired by the exhibition Sondra Perry: Typhon coming on, Offeh will transform the Education Space into a photo studio where adults and kids can work together, using props, texts and poses. If the weather’s nice, have a romp in nearby Diana’s Princess of Wales playground before or after. All ages welcome. Drop in anytime between 1pm-5pm, FREE (Apr 28-29)

Sat-Sun: Kings Cross Classic Car Boot Sale, Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4UZ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Beep beep. The ultra cool event for both motor heads and fashionistas is back at Kings X. Grab your advanced tickets for the Classic Car Boot Sale, where you can pick up some new togs, browse vintage rides, listen to live music and DJs, munch on delicious street food, catch pop up performances, and indulge in some excellent people watching. 10am-6pm; £5 entry (£4 advance tickets), many activities are FREE (Apr 28-29)

Sat-Sun: Imperial Festival, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ (South Kensington tube)
The annual science festival is a fantastic event incorporating all elements of STEAM (science, tech, education, arts and maths). Leading inventors, scientists and other specialists will hosting a variety of talks and demonstrations. Have a go at curious gadgets and geeky devices, from robots, to VR, to coding tools. You can enjoy tasty nosh from food stalls around including London Farmer’s Market and College Barbecue. All ages. 12pm-6pm (Sat), 12pm-5pm (Sun), FREE – advanced registration for your chosen events recommended (Apr 28-29)

Sat-Sun: Art Smarts with Giffords Circus Screening at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green Tube)
Over in Bethnal Green, they are celebrating the Circus 250 in the company of Art Smarts, for fun, film and crafting with the whole family. Watch a video screening of Giffords Circus’s The Painted Wagon from the V&A’s National Video Archive of Performance. Then get creative with a circus themed afternoon of arts and crafts. All ages welcome.
2pm-4pm, FREE (Apr 28-29)

 

 
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish ‘Flower Power’ Family Rave with DJ Dave Minns at Bay 58 Bar, Acklam Village Market, Portobello Rd, W10 (Ladbroke Grove/Westbourne Park tube)
Springtime (or is it summer? winter? Brit weather keeps us guessing!) is the perfect season for a ‘flower power’ rave in the company of our fave family party animals, Big Fish Little Fish. DJ Dave Minns (Raindance / Music Box Radio UK) plays house/rave/techno/drum’n’bass/bass/garage/hip hop. Wave your hands in the air, like neither you nor your munchkins give a petal. Unwind in the Villa Pia baby chill out space or with Captain Cookie crafts tables. There’s bubbles, balloons, glitter cannon, parachute dance and all the usual mayhem. All ages welcome, best for 0-8 and grown ups. 1pm-3.30pm, Tickets are adult £9, child £6 and pre-walkers go free (Apr 29)

 

 
Sun: Jacksons Lane: Penguin, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Little boy Ben gets a penguin for a present. But despite all his efforts – dancing, pulling funny faces, even wearing a happy hat – Penguin has nothing to say. Then Ben decides to fire penguin into outer space, and still no word from the bird. Only when a passing lion intervenes does Penguin break his silence… and it’s worth the wait! Tom Grayof of Gomez presents inventive musical theatre filled with surprises for ages 2-8. 12pm & 3pm; £9.95 (Apr 29)

Sun: How Does It Feel to Be Loved at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Very pleased to see the return of How Does It Feel to Be Loved club night’s indie kids disco. Fresh off the green spaces of End of the Road Festival, HDIF Children’s Disco offers a chilled-out party with indie and classic soul (think anything from The Smiths to Otis Redding) aimed at mini movers, and their nostalgic parents. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Apr 29)

 

 
Sun: Parasol Unit: City of Light Family Workshop, 14 Wharf Road, N1 7RW (Angel/Old St tube)
Head to this popular Sunday family workshop at Parasol Unit, where you’ll work with instructors to build a city entirely from your imagination. Help bring the mini city to life, using cardboard, wooden bamboo canes, and a variety of light sources. Ages 5+, younger ones welcome. 2pm-4pm, adult £3/child £2, booking ahead recommended (Apr 29)

Sun: Cow vs Pig Fun Run, from Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Road, N7 8PF (Highbury & Islington tube/overground)
The cows and pigs are on the loose. Get moo-ving for the annual 5km fun run, aiming to raise £30k for Freightliners City Farm. Special costume onesies are provided for this ‘race’ that will see a herd of human pigs and cows making the rounds from Paradise Park, along Upper St and back to the farm. Runners must be 14+ to register, but it’s a great spectacle for much younger ones, all in the wonderful cause of supporting a popular family destination. Go and cheer them along, and afterwards join the celebration at the farm supported by the farm’s cake bakers, Martyns of Muswell Hill and Udderlicious. 11am-12pm, £25 to register for race, spectators and farm visitors FREE (Apr 29)

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 Workshop + Early Man (PG), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Apr 28)

CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
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)
Peter Rabbit at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Apr 28)

Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Everything’s Rosie (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Apr 28)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Brave at 4.10pm; adult/child £2 (Apr 27)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 11am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

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 28-29)

Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Early Man at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (Apr 28-29)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Apr 21)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Peter Rabbit at 11.30am; £1.75 (Apr 28)

Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Apr 28)

Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Coco at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Apr 28-29)

Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Tales from Earthsea at 3.15pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Apr 29)

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)

Coming Soon

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
My Neighbour Totoro at 12.45pm; adult £8/child £4 (May 6)

Booking Ahead

A Midsummer Night’s Dream for ages 5+ at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (May 5)
Free Comic Book Day at GOSH Comics, W1 (May 5)
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)
Poet in the City presents: Rastamouse introduces Lil’ Bruv at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 9)
The Wind in the Willows with Simon Callow & the Philharmonia Orchestra at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 17)

May Bank Holiday Weekend Scoop coming up next – it’s gonna be hot!