The weather’s looking fab and there’s loads to do with your family in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. From free fun at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival to the Great Get Together street parties in memory of Jo Cox, you’ll find many spots to chill with your favourite people. We like the sound of Keepy Uppy, for footie fans, at Arts Depot; and a free pop-up show at Imperial War Museum, inspired by the amazing Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. Have a good one!
Wild Child Festival launches in August and you can WIN TICKETS HERE!
Lovely Things to do in London this Weekend
Thu-Sun: The King and I at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
Shall we dance? If you’re a fan of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical, then get ready to be swept away by this production, hitting the West End after its smash hit Broadway run. Original stars Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe light up the stage as British schoolteacher Anna and the King of Siam, set in 1860s Bangkok. For ages 5+. 2pm & 7pm (Mon-Wed), 2.30pm-7.30pm (Thu-Sat), from £29 (Jun 21-Aug 5)
Thu-Sun: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival: Greenwich Fair, various sites around Greenwich Town Centre (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail/Canary Wharf tube)
Every year, the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival creates a 10+ day jamboree of fun, creativity, outdoor performance and pop-ups. This weekend it’s the Greenwich Fair, a festival within a festival, focusing on free family friendly activities. Catch Ockham’s Razor’s new outdoor show Belly of the Whale, an exciting collision of circus and sculpture (Sat-Sun); see a Herd of Mechanical Animals wandering and grazing (Sat-Sun); watch Icarus take flight in a dazzling dance show (Sun)… and loads more. All ages welcome, FREE (Jun 21-Jul 7)
Thu-Sun: London Seafood Festival at Battersea Power Station, (Circus West Village), 188 Kirtling St, London SW8 5BN (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail/Sloane Sq or Vauxhall tube)
All the marine-themed film screenings (Jaws, Finding Nemo, Splash) are sadly sold out for the festival. But there’s still lots of family fun to be had including bubble magic with Bubble Inc; children’s shell necklace and sea-biscuit themed decorating; and twisty times with Miss Ballooniverse. Plus of course TONS of delicious seafood to eat and cooking demos. Workshops for ages 4+, other family activities for all ages. From 9.45am; FREE (some adult events ticketed) (Jun 20-24)
Fri-Sun: The Great Get Together, multiple locations across London and UK
You’re invited to another pop-up community celebration in honour of late MP Jo Cox, who believed we were stronger together than driven apart by our differences. There’ll be wacky races and a human tower at Bankside (Sun, 12pm-9pm); performances from London School of Samba and Breakin’ Convention at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Sun, 12pm-6pm); plus street parties and events in Islington, Bethnal Green, Peckham Rye, Edmonton and dozens more spots. Find your nearest event on the website. All ages welcome. Varying times; FREE (Jun 23)
Sat: Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella: A Museum Adventure at Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ (Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle tube)
Bring the whole family along for a free day of performances, talks and workshops. New Adventures dance company has worked with an intergenerational crew of local people and school children to create a brand new dance piece. It’s inspired by Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, an evocative love story set during World War 2. All ages welcome. 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm performances; FREE (Jun 23)
Sat: Professor Qwertybleep’s Tales from Planet Earth, Upstairs at the Sydenham Centre, 44a Sydenham Road, SE26 5QX (Sydenham rail)
Go around the world in this storytelling extravaganza featuring Adrian Beckingham ‘The Man from Story Mountain’ from Australia, Stephan Boyce from the Caribbean, Suni La from China and Megha Dhingra from India. Four fantastic storytellers work their magic with an alien puppet, video effete and original music all featuring. Ages 3 to 10 and families. 2pm & 4pm; adult £10/child 3+ £6 children aged 3+/under 3s FREE but must sit on carer’s lap (Jun 23)
Sat: Seven Dials Soundtrack, 45 Seven Dials, WC2H 9HD (Covent Garden/Holborn/Leicester Square tube)
Combine West End shopping with a free day of live music, al fresco dining, silent disco, eco-friendly and biodegradable glitter face jewels from Gypsy Shrine, cult-hit festival choir Some Voices, music tombola and much more. Curated by Citadel Festival, the line-up includes native singer-songwriter Rukhsana Merrise, The Voice finalists Into the Ark, alternative indie group Pumarosa. There’s also Hawksmoor Seven Dials x Evan Williams pop-up cocktail bar, in-store treats and special offers from nearby eateries. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Jun 23)
Sat: The Runner (part of Beyond Borders Festival), The Old Library, 39 Wells Way, SE5 0PX (Denmark Hill rail)
Nina loves adventures and getting into scrapes, but this time it’s for real. No room for error. Follow Nina, her brother and a group of kids on an epic journey over land and sea, fusing puppetry, music and storytelling. The show will be followed by a brief Q&A session. Ages 8+. 11.30am-12.30pm, FREE (Jun 23)
Sun: Friends for All: Simon Mole, Sackler Space at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
Poet and rapper Simon Mole presents an interactive spoken word show for families, all about confidence and standing up for your beliefs. Lexi is an 8-year-old who doesn’t quite fit in at school. She decides to fight the powers that be (namely her teacher Mr Marsh and class bully Suzy) to create change and win friends. Funny and poignant production, co-created with theatre maker Peader Kirk. Part of The Last Word festival. Ages 5 to 11. 1pm & 3pm; adult £10/child under 16 £8 (Jun 24)
Sun: Fun DMC: Hip Hop Special at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube)
Hip hop hooray! Head to the Hip Hop Special of Fun DMC, the original block party for real nippaz and their OG crew. Created by Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders), the event features DJ Cable rocking the spot with family-friendly anthems, plus hip hop fancy dress, graffiti wall, balloons and more! Ages 0-10 and families. Food served all day. 12.30pm-3.30pm; adult £7, walking kid £5, family £22, non-walking babies FREE (Jun 24)
Sun: Dinosaur Art & Science Workshop with OKIDO, Copper Beech Café, Red Post Hill, London SE21 7BX (North Dulwich rail)
Grab your tiny T-Rex fans for a special dino-themed discovery session with popular kids magazine OKIDO. Meet the people behind the magazine and hit TV show ‘Messy goes to OKIDO’, take part in curiosity-inspiring activities, and make new friends with fellow dinosaur fans. Best suited for ages 3 to 7. Adults must stay on premises, but can enjoy the cafe or stay and play! Four hour-long sessions between 11.45am-4.30pm; adult FREE/child £8 (Jun 24)
Sun: Keepy Uppy at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Joey is footie mad – he plays, he watches it, he talks about it. He sets off for the cup final with Mum, his best teammate and biggest fan… but will he score? From kick-off to the final whistle, Keepy Uppy is for football fans and non-football fans, especially timed for World Cup 2018. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; £8 (Jun 24)
Where to Watch the World Cup in London with Kids
Central London
Play snooker, table football or table tennis between games at Rileys Sports Bar in Victoria; at Bounce in Farringdon, the kids can exhaust themselves on ping pong and pizza, while you’re glued to the games (also at Bounce in Old St); or why not try Frankie’s Sports Bar and Diner in Fulham.
North London
Head to Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market for all games + foosball fun; it’s a chilled out vibe at family-friendly The Cuckoo in Barnsbury; kid-friendly pub The Regent on Liverpool Rd, N1 offers lunchtime pizza deals and all the games.
South London
Catch all the action on a big screen in Flat Iron Square, Bankside SE1; the Devonshire in Balham is family friendly and will be screening every game; grab munchies and great vibes at Pop Brixton screenings
East London
Grab a bite to eat and watch the World Cup at Cafe Football at Westfield Stratford; The Last Days of Shoreditch are showing all the games on London’s largest screen in their Enchanted Garden (check ahead, not all events are kid-friendly); Skylight in Tobacco Dock offers petanque, rooftop views, plus World Cup on a large screen; or see the whole tournament on a rooftop at Pitch in Stratford
West London
There’s deck chairs and a big screen at Merchant Square in Paddington; or soak it all up at the Ealing Park Tavern
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)
The Land Before Time (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jun 23)
CineKids at Cine Lumiere at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT (South Kensington tube)
Mary and the Witch’s Flower at 2pm; £5 (Jun 23)
Mary and the Witch’s Flower at 11am; £5 (Jun 24)
Screenings in French, English or French with English subtitles.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Popeye (Live Action) at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jun 23)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Hey Duggee Programme (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Jun 23)
Paddington at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane,cr Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Paddington at 4.10pm; adult/child £2 (Jun 22)
Paddington at 11am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
A Wrinkle in Time at 10am; adult/kid £2.50 (Jun 23-24)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Paddington at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jun 23)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Mary and the Witch’s Flower at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jun 23)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Paddington at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Jun 23)
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
The Little Vampire at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Jun 23-24)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Laputa: Castle in the Sky at 1pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Jun 24)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Funday: Mary Poppins. Foyer workshop at 10am; film at 1.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (Jun 24)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Sherlock Gnomes at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Jun 24)
Booking Ahead
Everyman Summer Love Outdoor Screenings at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jun 27-Jul 15)
LyricFest at Lyric, Hammersmith (Jun 29-Jul 1)
Wimbledon Tennis Championships (Jul 2-15)
Everyman Summer Love: Wimbledon Screenigs at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jul 2-15)
Scoop: Pop Up Ice Cream Museum by Bompas & Parr at Gasholders 1, King’s Cross (Jul 3-Sep 30)
Whitecross Street Party, EC1 (Jul 15)
Wild Child Festival: A Gorgeous New Family Festival (Win Tickets!)
