Boom bap! Very excited to learn that we’re going to be official bloggers at this year’s Boomtown Fair. It’s meant to be one of the wildest and more wonderful family festivals out there, and I’m so looking forward to checking it out with the babes.
This weekend in London, we’re enjoying Chocolate Cake with Michael Rosen, a Chocolate Market in King’s Cross, a festival at St Katharine Docks, a pizza festival, and a festival fair in Dulwich. Loads to celebrate!
Take a look at our 2018 Top Family Festivals in London & Beyond – your ultimate family party guide for the summer!
Enjoy the weekend folks x
What to do with Kids this Weekend in London
Thu-Sat: London on Water at St Katharine Docks Marina, 50 St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LA (Tower Hill tube)
A spectacular boats, motor yachts, super cars and people watching escapade on beautiful St Katharine Docks. The two-day festival is now in its fourth year, providing plenty to gawp at, as well as a range of activities. There’s a floating village and oyster bar, abundance of local restaurants, cafes and pubs, cruise-ship and sailing holidays to explore, live music and paddle boarding demonstrations. 11am-7pm daily; £10 (2-for-1 tickets online)/£20 door/child under 16 FREE (May 10-12)
Thu-Sun: Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: Love chocolate cake? The adaptation of Michael Rosen’s scrumptious poem Chocolate Cake is a treat for young and old. Follow the adventures of two brothers and find out about the curious incident of a chocolate cake in the nighttime! This yummy musical is created by the team behindWe’re Going on a Bear Hunt, and based on the Chocolate Poem, now out as a picture book. For ages 4+. 11am & 2.30pm; £10-£13.50 (until May 13)
Thu-Sun: Neverland London: Fulham Beach Club, Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6 2TY (Imperial Wharf/Wandsworth Town overground, Parsons Green/Wandsworth tube)
Head to the beach, right here in London, as Neverland London pops up again in Fulham. Soak up the rays at the Fulham Beach Club, decked out with beach huts, daybeds, cabanas and tonnes of sand. Enjoy bottomless brunch, Jimmy Garcia’s restaurant, BBQ and beer. Try one of their activities from sand sculpting to shuffleboard or table tennis. Kids of all ages are welcome from 12pm-5pm. Open daily from 12pm, £5 entry (May 3-Aug 31)
Fri-Sat: Notting Hill Pizza Festival, 45 Porchester Road, W2 5HS (Westbourne Park Rd/Notting Hill Gate tube)
Well this sounds like a plan. A two-day pizza festival in Notting Hill. What’s not to love? Celebrate the cheesy, crusty good stuff at this foodie fiesta, where you can try a range of flavours, sauces and toppings. The drinks will be flowing, the music will be pumping, and the pizzas don’t stop. All tickets include unlimited pizza! Kids are welcome and under 3s eat free during the early session (12pm-5pm, Sat). Event runs 6pm-1am (Fri), 12pm-5pm & 6pm-1am (Sat); adult £15/2 adults £24/family of 4 £30 (2 adults + 2 kids) (May 11-12)
Fri-Sun: Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, multiple venues, SW13 (Barnes Bridge rail)
Bookworms of all sizes head to Barnes for the kiddy lit festival featuring topnotch authors and illustrators holding talks, signings and workshops. Big names like Cressida Crowell, Judith Kerr, Chris Naughton, Axel Scheffler, Polly Dunbar and many more pull the crowds. There’s also sessions with Aardman Animations, as well as theatrical fun like Matilda the Musical theatre workshops. Varying times and prices, many activities are FREE (May 11-13)
Fri-Sun: King’s Cross Canopy Market: Chocolate Special, West Handyside Canopy, Just off Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ (King’s Cross St Pancras)
CHOCOLATE. Need I say more? The Canopy Market at Kings X is now every weekend, but it’s a special edition this weekend as Cocoa Runners takes over for its Chocolate Market. Come along to sample small batch, handcrafted chocs from master chocolatiers. It’s a super buzzy area, with Granary Square fountains for splashing in if it’s hot, and good tunes from DJs, plus indie stallholders flocking their wares. All ages. Open Fri (12-6pm), Sat & Sun (11am-6pm); FREE entry (May 11-13)
Sat: One Duck Down at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, London N6 5HG (Archway tube)
Hot off their successful shows at Vault Festival in Waterloo, FacePlant Theatre squeaks into Lauderdale House with another quacky family show. One Duck Down is based on a true life story of 7000 rubber ducks set adrift in the ocean (as seen on Blue Planet II). Our hero Billy treks off to win his true love’s heart, only to wind up on a quest for a maritime treasure. The eco-friendly tale takes us from Pebbleton Village all the way to the North Pole, with a set and props repurposed from lost and found rubbish! All ages welcome, best for ages 2+. 10.30am; £8.50/£6.50 concs/family £28 (May 12)
Sat: Grant Museum of Zoology: Creature Creations, 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. This Saturday, you’re invited to create works of art inspired by the creepy creatures in the museum. Or why not invite your own animal, name it and add it to the collection. The family art day will be led by the museum’s artist. All ages welcome. 1.30pm-4.30pm, drop in, FREE (May 12)
Sat: Stratford Circus: The Little Mochi Man (main pic), Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
On the cusp of the New Year, the little Mochi Man, tired of being bullied for his size, decides to run away. Follow his adventures from the snow mountains of Hokkaido to the busy streets of Tokyo, as he meets a variety of characters and creatures, such as The Gingerbread Man. A Thousand Cranes presents an inventive piece of theatre of rthe very young, with ‘origami’ puppets, original music and animation, inspired by the traditions of Shogatsu (Japanese New Year celebrations). Ages 4-7. 11am & 2pm; £8-£10 (May 12)
Sun: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford St, WC2E 9ED (Covent Garden tube)
On the second Sunday of May each year, the Punch and Judy professors from all over converge in the garden of St Paul’s Church (better known as the Actors’ Church). It’s time yet again for the vibrant, day-long Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival. It happens on the original site where Mr Punch made his English debut, way back in May 1662 (by that dude Samuel Pepys). Celebrate this British tradition on Sunday with the brass band procession (from 11am), Punch & Judy shows, maypole dancing, folk music, and puppet workshops. All ages. 11am procession, shows from 12.30pm-5.30pm; FREE (May 13)
Sun: Mango Spice Caribbean Workshop and Family Jamboree at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
One mighty fine party with Cherise Adams-Burnett and friends where you can whine, soca, conga and calypso your way through the Caribbean’s rich history of dance and tunes. Discover the stories that underscore the rhythms spanning Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba and New Orleans, with folk song, call and response games and ring dances. Stick around for a live jazz performance from Tomorrow’s Warriors (1pm). Mango Spice is a monthly party at Rich Mix for ages 1 to 100 (best for 3 to 14 and their grownups). 11am, FREE (May 13)
Sun: Dulwich Festival Fair, Goose Green, East Dulwich Road, SE22 9BW (East Dulwich rail)
Down in Dulwich, there’s a great day out for all the family at the Festival Fair on Goose Green. Tuck into tasty food and homemade cakes from stalls, browse designer jewellery, local photography and other wares, have a go on the bouncy castle, and don’t forget the donkey rides. Wild Child Festival, the brand new festival launching in August for ages 0 to 11, will be hosting a mini pop-up kids area at the fair. Look out for funky arts and crafts, storytelling from Little Folk Tales and a baby/toddler sensory tent. More information at www.wildchildfestivals.co.uk. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm, FREE (May 13)
London Kids Cinema
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)
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 12)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Yellowbird at 2pm (Sat) & 11am (Sun); £5 (May 12-13)
Yellowbird at 2pm (Sat); £5 (Jun 9)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Sheep and Wolves at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 12)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Messy Goes to OKIDO: Exploration (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (May 12)
Space Jam at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
The Secret of Kells at 4.10pm; adult/child £2 (May 11)
Space Jam at 11am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
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 (May 12-13)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Coco at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (May 12-13)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Space Jam at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 12)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Kung Fu Panda at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 12)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Space Jam at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 12)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
A Wizard’s Tale at 10am; adult/kid £2 (May 12-13)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Princess Mononoke at 12.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (May 12)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Arrietty at 3.35pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (May 13)
Coming Soon
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
A Wrinkle in Time at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (May 27)
Booking Ahead
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: Peter Pan (May 17-Jun 15)
Nibble & Squeak baby-friendly dining club at Magpie (May 20)
Aurora Orchestra: Beethoven and the Dinosaurs at Kings Place (May 20)
Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula (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)
Tea + a Gig, live music for parents and babes at The Old Church, Stoke Newington (Jun 5)
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)
Is May Half Term coming soon? Oh yes it is, and so is our ultimate half term holiday guide. Keep an eye out!
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