The weekend’s here already? Still feel like I’m playing catch up after the summer holidays, but I’m quite excited about what’s to come this autumn.
Have fun this weekend!
Fri-Sun: Life in the Dark at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Get your imaginary night goggles on for a nocturnal tour of life for a variety of species. Discover deep sea fish, foxes on the hunt, crocodiles and other creatures of the night. All ages. 10am-5.50pm daily; child 16 and under FREE (until Dec 31)
Sat: Hidden River Festival, Redmond Community Centre, along the New River Path, Woodberry Wetlands, N4 2HF (Finsbury Park tube/rail)
Make the most of a day out by the river, at this fun family-friendly festival, celebrating the green local and wildlife of this urban oasis. There’ll be theatre, art, live music, tasty nosh, activities and workshops for all ages. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Sep 15)
Sat: Royal Academy: Festival of Ideas – Interactive Storytelling, Royal Academy, John Madejski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Help storyteller Wendy Shearer weave a fabulous tale around Anansi, the spider. The mischief-maker of West African/Caribbean legend provides inspiration for a fun, creative workshop carrying on the oral tradition. For ages 5+. 10am-11am, 11.15am-12.15pm, 2pm-3pm: adult £10/child £5 (Sep 15)
Sat: Animating Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Exhibition, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
London’s iconic bridge opens its doors to another fun, creative session for the family. Make your own stop motion animation, based on a story from Tower Bridge’s 124-year history. Buses jumping over raising roads, planes flying through the towers… be inspired to create! All ages welcome, best for ages 6 to 10. 10am-4pm; adult £9.80/child £4.20 (Sep 15)
Sat-Sun: Dinosaur Days: Lost Valley of London Tour at Dinosaur Islands, Crystal Palace Park, SE20 8DP (Crystal Palace overground)
Feeling a little Jurassic this weekend? I know I am! Get your lazy bones off the sofa and go on a dino-friendly dig around Crystal Palace’s Dinosaur Island. You can explore the 162 year old sculptures on a guided tour, learn about the Paleo Planting Project, and catch some dinosaur street theatre. 11am-4pm, FREE but booking essential (Sep 15-16)
Sat-Sun: Mini Wonders Rodinny Workshop, Czech Centre London, 30 Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QY (Notting Hill Gate tube)
Ever fancied making toy cars from bars of soap? Well now’s your chance, crafty one. Award winning Czech
designers Michal Strach and Katerina Strachová lead a workshop that gives new meaning to the term ‘good clean fun’. All ages welcome, best for ages 3 to 10. All material provided, booking essential. 3pm-5pm (Sat) & 10.30am-12.30pm (Sun); £5 (Sep 15-16)
Sun: Family Day: Recreating Keats House, Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground, Hampstead/Belsize Park tube)
If you’re a fan of poet John Keats, then it’s worth paying a visit to the Georgian villa that inspired some of his best remembered works. This weekend, bring the whole crew along to create a 3D model of Keats House. All ages welcome. 2pm-4pm drop in; FREE (Sep 16)
Sun: London Curriculum Children’s Festival, Potters Fields Park, next to City Hall and Tower Bridge, SE1 2AA (London Bridge/Tower Hill tube)
Hear women scientists explain their research in Soapbox Science; join the Museum of London Archaeology on a fascinating dig for treasure along the Thames foreshore; help Institute of Imagination create a raft and test it out on the river; and join in a LEGO Build workshop to design the London of the future! 11am-4pm, FREE (Sep 16)
Booking Ahead
If you haven’t already don’t forget to check out my Autumn hot list for things to do over the next few months!