OMG it’s sunny on our first May Bank Holiday weekend! And there is so much for you in our May Bank Holiday London Weekend Scoop, you have no excuse not to get out there and make the most of London. Check out the breakdancing shows at Sadler’s Wells, or the canalboat festival on Little Venice, play croquet on a rooftop, make slime in central London, enjoy May Day activities at city farms, watch circus acts and Shakespeare for kids…
Or just grab a blanket, find a patch of grass, and enjoy this gorgeous taste of British summertime. No pressure, no fuss, have an excellent weekend all. Oh yeah, and May the 4th be with you x
HOT TICKET: Wild Child Festival in Dulwich (Book Ahead)
This summer, Wild Child Festival takes over Dulwich and I’m so thrilled to be working with them in partnership with Mothers & Shakers. Wild Child Festival is a fantastic, immersive, creative adventure for families with kids age 0-11. The three day festival features arts, crafts, comedy, magic, baby tent, unicorn meadow, kids coding workshops, Big Fish Little Fish and BeBop baby raves and much more. Experience the joys of a family festival without the fuss of camping! Everything included in Early bird day tickets start at £24, under 3’s are £5, babies up to 18 months are FREE (Aug 17-19)
Get a taster of Wild Child Festival at Dulwich Festival Fair on Goose Green (Sun May 13, 11am-4pm, FREE) and at the Dulwich Park Fair (Sun May 20, 12pm-5pm, FREE). Wild Child will host a mini pop-up kids area with funky arts and crafts, storytelling from Little Folk Tales and a baby/toddler sensory tent. More info at www.wildchildfestivals.co.uk
May Bank Holiday London Weekend Scoop
Fri-Mon: 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)
Sat: A Midsummer Night’s Dream for ages 5+ at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF (Caledonian Rd tube)
It’s a marvellous weekend for some kid-friendly Shakespeare. There’s some magic, music and a little mischief going on at Pleasance Theatre. Infinite Jest produce one hour adaptations of Shakespeare’s classics aimed at young ‘uns. This take on the comedy with physical theatre, song and dance, audience participation and a character called Bottom is sure to enchant and entertain. Recommended for ages 5+. 2pm, adult £10/child & concs. £7 (May 5)
Sat: Free Comic Book Day at GOSH Comics, 1 Berwick Street, W1F 0DR (Tottenham Court Rd/Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus tube)
Love comics? Love free stuff? Well, you’re in luck. GOSH is hosting their annual free comic book day, where you can get 5 free comics per person, and take part in a day of activities. Browse through classic and modern titles, then join a host of artists at the Kids Drawing Workshop Table (best for kids ages 6-12). Meet the artists from Bog Eyed Books, Improper Books and Flying Eye books, and watch live painting in the store windows! First come, first served, so get there early! 10am-7pm, FREE (May 5)
Sat-Sun: Slime London, Gallery Different 14 Percy St, W1T 1DR (Goodge St/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Squidge, squish, it’s so delicious to play with and it’s becoming one of the hottest trends of 2017-18. Slime London is a May Bank Holiday London weekend festival of ooey-gooey delights. You can sign up for a slime-making masterclass (hurry, limited availability), buy loads to fiddle with at home, or indulge in touchy-feely fun. There’s even a floam-inspired ball pit to dunk yourself inside. 10am-7pm (Sat) & 10am-6pm (Sun); entry FREE, masterclasses £10 (May 5-6)
Sat-Sun: Treasure Hunt on the Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral St, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube/rail)
Have you ever been aboard the Golden Hinde? Now’s your chance, as our May Bank Holiday London weekend scoop reveals a fun activity taking place on Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship. It turns out old Sir Francis has just returned from a treasure hunting expedition. He’s hidden some of his loot on the ship and it’s up to you and your mini adventurers to find it. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm, £5 per person (May 5-6)
Sat-Mon: Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
It’s back, mamas and papas. Bring your l’il hip hop dances along for the world’s largest breakdancing festival, as it returns to Sadler’s Wells theatre. See world-class acts like Boy Blue Entertainment, Jonzi D, The Locksmiths, Salah (France), Femme Fatal (USA) and others from around the globe. There’s stuff going on all over the building with live DJs, graffiti artists, freestyle sessions and more. If you’re age 12 or above, you can try out a daytime workshop available for multiple levels of ability, 12.15pm-1.45pm & 2pm-3.30pm (Sat-Mon) + extra 10.30am-12pm workshop on Sunday. All ages, under 5s welcome! Doors open from 4pm, live shows from 6pm (Sat-Sun). Shows £15 (standing/£17 concs), £24 (seated); workshops £10 (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, Paddington, W9 (Paddington tube/rail, Warwick Avenue tube)
The waterways festival has become an annual May Bank Holiday London weekend tradition, with hundreds of visitors flocking to Little Venice for a day of fun by the canal. Climb on board the Puppet Theatre Barge for some charming family theatre, have a go at boating and kayaking sessions, enjoy a workshop on the Floating Classroom, arts and crafts, canal side stalls and more. There will also be Morris Dancers and live music plus on Sunday night, an illuminated boat procession (from 9pm-10.30pm, Sun). All ages. 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun) + 9pm-10.30pm (Sun boat procession); 10am-5pm (Mon), FREE (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: Morden Hall Park Country Fair, Morden Hall Road, SM4 5JD (Morden South tube)
This popular family Country Fair in gorgeous Morden Hall Park is in its 9th year and has loads to offer. Sheep show, birds of prey displays, magic, Morris Dancers, brass bands, steam engines, animal petting pens, historical reenactments, arts and crafts, food stalls and bar and the Companion Dog Show on Monday. A great day out for all ages. 10am-5pm, adult from £7.50, concs from £6.50, child age 5-14 from £4, family of 4 £20 (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: LEGO Star Wars Day at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AY (Staines rail)
Why not head out of central London this May Bank Holiday weekend, and visit a galaxy far far away, all made out of LEGO. The Force has awakened at the popular resort and theme park, where you can try out intergalactic activities. Build the Millennium Falcon, or check out the LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display that boasts a 500,000 LEGO Death Star featuring 16 LEGO Alliance ships swooping in to destroy it! Of course there’s theme park rides, character meet and greets and fancy dress fun too.
10am-6pm daily, from £47pp (May 5-7)
Sat-Mon: Tower of London: Go Medieval, at Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Tower Hill tube)
This summer, step back in time to 1536 and retrace the final days of Anne Boleyn. This outdoor theatrical event tells of the tragic last days of the second wife of King Henry VIII. Performed on the South Lawn at the Tower of London, you’ll experience Anne’s time in the fortress, following her journey from imprisonment and interrogation, through to the trial and execution. All ages welcome. Show at 2pm (May 5) and then 11am & 2pm daily, weather permitting (shows at 11am & 3pm between Jun 9-17). No show on May 22. Tower of London is open from 10am-5pm; online tickets adult £22.70/child £10.75/family 1 adult + 3 kids £40.80/family 2 adults + 3 kids £57.80/under 5s FREE (May 5-28)
Sun: Kentish Town City Farm May Day Festival, 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Road, NW5 4BN (Gospel Oak overground/Kentish Town tube)
Sadly there are no pony rides at the May Day festival, but your little riders won’t notice, as there’s so much else going on. Egg and spoon races, sack races, tug of war, make-a-scarecrow, may day crowns, throwing wet sponges at people in the stocks, arts and crafts, face painting, goat grooming, maypole dancing, BBQ, live music, cakes, bakes… oh yeah, and meet the animals too! All ages. 1pm-4pm, adult £1/child 50p (May 6)
Sun: Get Into Science with OKIDO: SCIENCE EXPLORATION, Institute of Imagination, Imagination Lab, The Workshop, 26 Lambeth High Street, SE1 7AG (Lambeth North tube)
Over at the Institute of Imagination, there’s a whole afternoon of STEAM-based activities for kids and families. Watch a science show from Alom Shaha (author of Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder), play with electro dough, join in with a giant height chart, make a working lung model, and more fun experiments and games. Suitable for ages 3-7 but younger and older kids very welcome. 10.30am-12pm & 1pm-2.30pm; adult £4/child £8/babes-in-arms go FREE (May 6)
We also like
Kings Cross Canopy Market is now every weekend (Fri-Sun) with stalls, street food and DJs. This weekend, cool the kids off at Granary fountains just around the corner; there’s May Day merriment for moovers and shakers also at Stepney City Farm (Mon); catch The Magic Fish, a story told through dance and beatboxing, part of Alchemy Festival at Southbank Centre; also at Southbank Centre, the Alchemy Festival brings a South Asian flavour to the KERB street food market (Fri-Mon); for more beats and eats, head to the Field Day takeover at Street Feast markets Dinerama (Shoreditch) and Model Market (Lewisham), where you can munch to the soundtrack of Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor or Mylo (Sun); wander around Wandsworth Fringe Festival, with FREE shows and activities for all (until May 20); over at Underbelly Festival, teeny groovers cut loose as Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dancehall launches for the summer season (Sun, through Sep 30)
Babes Reviews
Catch high-flying Circus Abyssinia in Ethiopian Dreams (until May 20); have a VR battle with Darth Vader in Stratford (until Jun); see Dinosaurs in Greenwich (until Jul)
May Bank Holiday: 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)
Coco (PG), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (May 5)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Les Quatres Saisons de Leon at 2pm (Sat) & 11am (Sun); £5 (May 5-6)
Asterix: Le Domaine des Dieux (age 6+) at 2pm (Mon); £5 (May 7)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (May 5)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Rastamouse (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (May 5)
Early Man at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Coco at 4.10pm; adult/child £2 (May 4)
Early Man at 11am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
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 5-6)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
A Wrinkle in Time at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (May 5-7)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Early Man at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (May 5)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Alice in Wonderland at 11.30am; £1.75 (May 5)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Early Man at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (May 5)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
A Wrinkle in Time at 10am; adult/kid £2 (May 5-7)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
My Neighbour Totoro at 12.45pm; adult £8/child £4 (May 6)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Ponyo at 3.25pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (May 6)
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
Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival (May 13)
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: Peter Pan (May 17-Jun 15)
Nibble & Squeak baby-friendly dining club at Magpie (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)
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)
Look out for our Family Festivals guide updated for 2018
Bring Back the Family Album with My Cloud Home
