What lovely weather to lead us into the last weekend of September. Hard to believe October half term and halloween are around the corner, and my holiday guides will be out too. In the meantime, take a look at our Weekend Scoop for kids in London. Highlights include a curly girls’ festival, FREE baby jazz sessions, and an indie kids disco. Plus your last chance to sample the King’s Cross ice cream museum!
13+ Brilliant Things to do with Kids in London
Thu-Sat: The King and I at London Palladium, Argyll Street, Westminster, London W1F 7TF (Oxford Circus/Bond St tube)
LAST CHANCE: If you love the famous Rogers and Hammerstein musical, then your heart will be dancing after watching original Broadway acts Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe as British schoolteacher Anna and the King of Siam. This classic love story is set in 1860s Bangkok and best for ages 5+. 2pm & 7pm (Mon-Wed), 2.30pm-7.30pm (Thu-Sat); from £29 (until Sep 29)
Thu-Sun Scoop: Pop Up Ice Cream Museum by Bompas & Parr at Gasholders 1, King’s Cross N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Experimental foodies Bompas & Parr bring the past, present and future together in their celebration of a global favourite. Discover the heights and depths of ice cream making, and tasting, from the neuroscience behind the dessert, to glow-in-the-dark ice cream. All ages. 12pm-8pm, last entry 7pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-6pm, last entry 5pm (Sat-Sun); adult £12/child under 16 £6/under 2s FREE (until Sep 30)
Fri-Sat: Mouth Open, Story Jump Out at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Tap into your creative potential, in the hands of one of the country’s most acclaimed spoken-word artists. Polarbear is a mischief-maker of invention, a master at creating tall tales. But how did it all begin? Go on a funny and life-affirming journey, showing how one decision set off a chain reaction that changed a little boy’s life. Ages 8-11. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Thu), 11am (Fri), 1.30pm & 5pm (Sat) – NB: dates and times may vary, please check website; adult £16-£18/child £10-£12 (Sep 18-Oct 27)
Fri: Me and My Bee, at Mirth, Marvel and Maud, 186 Hoe Street, E17 4QH (Walthamstow Central tube/rail)
ThisEgg presents Me and My Bee at the Hightide festival. Learn all about how you can help our fuzzy little friends, via this activist campaign disguised as a children’s show. Join the Bee Party and spread the pollen of change, before it’s too late. Buzzy comedy for ages 5+ and their grownups (younger ones welcome). 4.30pm; adult £8/child £5/Under 2’s who don’t require a seat go free. (Sep 28)
Fri-Sun: Three Sat Under a Banyan Tree (top image) at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Polka Theatre reopens after its summer break with a riveting and colourful production, set at the foothills of the Himalayas. Under a Banyan tree, three orphans open a magical book and watch the stories of the forest rise from its pages. Music, movement and masks for ages 7+. Varying show times (check web site); £13.50/concs £10 (Sep 28-Oct 21)
Sat: Curl Camp: Curly/Afro Hair Festival for Kids at The Yaa Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, W5 2AN (Ealing Broadway tube)
We love the sound of this one! Bring your little girl along to a natural hair festival, aimed at teaching curly girls to love and care for their hair. The theme is ‘happy hair’ and whether she has an Afro or curls, the goal is to make her feel fabulous. There will be a curl clinic, mini market, kids hair catwalk, makeovers, hairducation workshops, detangling den + healthy vegan and veggie food from Ingrid’s kitchen. For ages 5 to 13 and grownups (all ages welcome). 12pm-6pm; from £10 (Sep 29)
Sat: Meet Florence Nightingale at Florence Nightingale Museum, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7EW (Lambeth North tube)
Visit the intriguing Florence Nightingale museum in Lambeth and meet the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ herself, at this reenactment event. Discover more about Miss Nightingale’s life, why she went to the Crimea, and her life as a war nurse, female icon and legendary Victorian. 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3pm; adult £7.50/child £3.80 (Sep 29)
Sat: Wonky at The Cockpit, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH (Marylebone tube/rail)
Everybody get wonky, at this mishmash of culture, cookery, gardening and rapping. Grab a handful of nutrition, a dash of PE, some PSHE, mix it all together and back against a backdrop of competitive dance. Watch (and laugh) as Olive and Messy Jesse rub shoulders with Monsieur Nincompoop, cool rapper Rapper Cool Yo, and pop star Solar Pa’nelle – as Olive’s so-called best friend Trixie turns against them. Ages 6+. £7 / £24 family of 4; locals discount £5/family of 4 £16 (NW1 5**, NW1 6**, NW8 7**, NW8 8**, W2 1**) (Sep 29)
Sat: IQL Weekends: Baby Jazz at Calico, International Quarter London, Endeavour Square, Olympic Park, Stratford E20 1JN (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Swing, baby, swing, at this sweet-sounding event, aimed at parents and their bubbas who want to get groovy. BabyJazz brings live jazz and contemporary music to the pre-school crowd. Led by singer and mum Ruby Barker, you’ll hear original tunes as well as nursery standards, with props and puppets to charm young and old. And it’s all free! 11am, 12.10pm & 1.45pm, FREE but booking ahead recommended (Sep 29)
Sat-Sun: Tabletop Gaming Live at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
There’s something for all types of gamers at this weekend takeover at Ally Pally. Everything from board games, to card games, to role play with a chance to try out classic and new releases, watch games masters at work, chat to some of the biggest game publishers, and buy games to take home and play. All ages welcome. From 9am-6pm (Sat) & 9am-5pm (Sun); adult £15 adv, £17 door/child 11-15 £11 adv/child 10 and under FREE with adult/family (2 adult + 2 kids) £11 each (Sep 29-30)
Sat-Sun: Lab Live: Why Oh Why? with OKIDO, Imagination Lab, The Workshop, 26 Lambeth High Street, SE1 7JS (Lambeth North tube)
OKIDO magazine are joining forces again with the fantastic Institute of Imagination, for another STEAM special. There will be over 15 activity stations where you can make stuff (or break stuff apart), to figure out what makes a variety of inventions tick. Fun day out for junior boffins and their families, ages 5+ (younger ones welcome). 10am-5pm; half-day ticket £7/full-day £10 (Sep 29-30)
Sun: How Does It Feel to Be Loved at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
London’s favourite indie kids disco is back! The popular family affair, as seen at End of the Road Festival, returns with its chilled-out vibes and mash-up of classic soul and vintage pop (anything from The Supremes to The Ramones). All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Sep 30)
Sun: Arts Depot: Kokers, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Ever wondered what to do with all those empty loo rolls? Watch an inventive show by Dadodans, a Dutch company of dancers who flip, twirl, throw and build different landscapes with cardboard, choreography and percussive sound. At the end, little ones can come on stage to play with the props. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; £10 (Sep 30)
London Kids Cinema
A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Teen Titans Go to the Movies at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Sep 29)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Tee and Mo (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Sep 29)
The LEGO Movie at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
The LEGO Movie at 11am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Zarafa at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Wall-E at 10am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
The LEGO Movie at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
The LEGO Movie at 09.50am; adult/child £2 (Sep 30)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
The LEGO Movie at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
The LEGO Movie at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Luis and the Aliens at 10am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29-30)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
The LEGO Movie at 12pm; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Thomas and Friends at 11.30am; £1.75 (Sep 29)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 6)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
The LEGO Movie at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 11am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
The LEGO Movie at 11am; adult/child £2 (Sep 29)
Zarafa at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Preview: Smallfoot + intro by director Karey Kirkpatrick at 10am; adult £8/child £4 (Sep 29)
Peter Pan at 1.30pm; adult £8/child £4 (Oct 7)
Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
The Cat Returns at 1pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Sep 30)
Howl’s Moving Castle at 1pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Oct 7)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Sep 30)
Coming Soon
Vue: Mini Mornings, at Vue Islington and other locations (some films may vary by venue)
Incredibles 2 at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Oct 6-7)
Incredibles 2 at 10am; adult/kid £2 (Oct 13-14)
Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE (Hackney Central overground)
Scratch & Sniff: Wallace & Gromit – Curse of the Were-Rabbit at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 23)
Booking Ahead
The Sea for ages 3 to 6, at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Oct 7)
Big Fish Little Fish: Vikings & Dragons Family Rave at FEST, Camden (Oct 14)
The Selfish Giant at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Oct 14)
FUNharmonics: The Highway Rat at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Oct 14)
Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away/Family Concert at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 20-21 & Oct 27)
Under the Rainbow at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon (Oct 24-Nov 3)
Halloween Spooky Walks at Lauderdale House, Highgate (Oct 31)
NB: Please note that event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!
London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 21-23, 2018)
