Welcome to our first Weekend Scoop for London with kids in October. We’ve got Black History Month ideas for all the family, apple day at Fulham Palace, creative play with Fun Palaces, a giant LEGO brick trail at WWT London, and Pearly Kings and Queens on parade. Enjoy!
London with Kids: Black History Month Picks
Thu-Sun: Black SuperSheroes Exhibition: Forgotten Figures, Darnley Gallery, 1A Darnley, E9 6QH (Hackney Central overground)
Black SuperSheroes is an organisation that champions young black girls and women, running workshops and exhibitions with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Over Black History Month, their show celebrates some of the forgotten figures in Black Herstory. That’s from Queen Philippa of Hainault to The ‘Wee Papa Girls’! 9am-5pm, FREE (Oct 1-31)
Thu-Sun: Africa Media Works Photography Prize at HKS Architects, Elsley House, 24–30 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, W1W 8BF (Oxford Circus tube)
The first major African photography prize in Britain launches, with 15 photographers from countries like Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Benin showcasing their works. The overall winner gets £5,000, and viewers get an inside view of an often misrepresented continent. Confirm dates, times and prices with the venue (Oct 4-11)
Sat: Black History Market, Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
Shop for clothing, food, stationery, books, jewellery and beauty products at this one-day market showcasing and celebrating African and Caribbean businesses. The fair will be springing up at Impact Hub Brixton in Pop Brixton. Register for a free ticket here. All ages, 11am; FREE but require ticket registration (Oct 6)
Sun: Black History Tour of British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square/Holborn/Tottenham Court Rd/Goodge St tube)
Black History comes alive at the British Museum, thanks to this ethnic specific tour, looking at the artefacts and collections from African societies. Delve into the rich histories off Benin bronzes, Egyptian artefacts and more. Ages 7+. 2pm-4.30pm; adult £10/child under 18 £5 – pre-booking essential! (Oct 7)
More Brilliant Ideas for London with Kids
Thu-Fri: Squish Space at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
Jump, roll, prod, squish and squash at this versatile play space, designed for people in London with kids under 5. The Barbican Centre’s brand new Squish Space offers a multi-sensory fun zone where small people can let loose. It’s a good little spot to bounce off all that energy, before or after an event or exhibition. Ages 0-5. 10am-4pm (Mon-Fri), FREE (Oct 1-31)
Thu-Sun: Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians, Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ (Richmond tube/overground)
The hugely popular Horrible Histories series (books, TV, shows and more) takes you back in time, with a hilarious spin on historical events. In Terrible Tudors, you can learn all about Henry’s headless wives, evil Elizabeth, and survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience; or get fascinated by the Pharaohs and rumble with Rameses the Great in Awful Egyptians. The double bill uses 3D special effects and audience interaction to entertain all the family. Best for ages 5+. Awful Egyptians shows at 10.30am (Thu), 7pm (Fri), 3pm (Sat-Sun); Terrible Tudors at 1.30pm (Fri), 2.30pm (Sat), 11am (Sun); tickets for each show from £14-£25 (Oct 4-7)
Sat: IQL Weekends: Puppetry Club at Calico, International Quarter London, Endeavour Square, Stratford E20 1JN (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
The International Quarter London runs another free workshop, this time it’s all about puppetry. Art therapist and puppeteer Marta Alonso (Puppets for Emotional Development) and Amsterdam-based puppeteer Isabel Alonso lead this creative session, where everyone will get to make an awesome puppet. 11am & 1.30pm; FREE (Oct 6)
Sat-Sun: Giant LEGO Brick Animal Trail + LEGO Workshops at WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth’s Walk SW13 9WT (Barnes rail, Hammersmith tube)
Walk amongst LEGO brick animals, such as Sam the short-eared owl who was built in 80 hours from 37,884 LEGO bricks! All these creatures, such as a LEGO North American river otter, a nene (the world’s rarest goose), a giant kingfisher and a frog, are inspired by real species across WWT centres. On weekends and half-term, kids can make and take home their own brick animals in WWT’s LEGO workshops. LEGO trail open to all ages, workshops for ages 5+. WWT London and LEGO trail open 9.30am-5.30pm, last admission 4.30pm (until Oct 31) & 9.30am-4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm (Nov 1 until Feb 28/29); adult from £12.72/child from £7.72/family of 4 from £34.77/under 4s FREE. LEGO workshops 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun, and daily through October half term); £10.50 per person (Oct 6-Nov 18)
Sat-Sun: Fun Palaces Weekend, multiple venues
The annual weekend based on an idea to create a ‘laboratory of fun’ for kids and adults together, is now in its 5 year with more than 40 palaces popping up across London. make drag king and queen puppets at the LGBT themed Fun Palace, 10am-3pm at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Sat); design wall art, play board games, and make flying creatures at Boundary Estate Fun Palace at Rich Mix, Shoreditch (Sun); you’ll find more Fun Palaces at Finsbury Library, Pimlico Library, Victoria Library, Lewis Carroll Library and other venues – visit funpalaces.co.uk/discover (Sat-Sun)
Sat-Sun: The Sun: Living with our Star, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
One of the best spots if you’re in London with kids. Discover about our most important star at the Science Museum’s solar-powered new show, launching this weekend. You can look into a digital mirror wearing age-old sunglasses, try soaking up some rays on an indoor beach, or join in a number of family-specific activities over October half-term. There’s also Astronights (ages 7-11, £60) — special solar-themed sleepovers at various dates through April 2019. Exhibition from 10am-6pm daily; from £15 (Oct 6-May 6 2019)
Sun: Apple Day at Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube)
Autumn is well and truly here, and what better time to head to Fulham Palace for a juicy day of apple displays and tastings, storytelling, market stalls and games, traditional crafts, bee keeping, live music and a baking contest. The annual festival takes place in the Walled Garden and is open to all ages. 11am-5pm; FREE (Oct 7)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Grab your partner and swing them around the dance floor, at one of these barn-stomping family friendly events. There will be a folk band and a live caller to lead you through all the steps, and it’s a great way to get the whole family moving, from grandma and grandpa, to your baby in a baby carrier! All ages welcome. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Oct 7)
Sun: Original Pearly Kings and Queens Association Harvest Celebration at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JH (Charing Cross tube)
The Original Pearly Kings and Queens Association (one of two competing London groups) will be decked out in all their shiny finery, and there’ll be plenty of entertainment and music at this Cockney knees-up. All ages welcome. Want to know more about the Pearlies heritage? Read this fascinating Museum of London article 6 things you never knew about Pearly Kings and Queens. Event starts 2.30pm; FREE (Oct 7)
Sun: The Sea at Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
A little fish in a big sea, is brought to life with paper puppetry, film, movement and audience interaction. Peer into the deep to encounter seagrass, crabs and a whale, and get carried away with a school of fish. Enchanting theatre by puppetry director of War Horse China, Liu Xiaoyi, part of China Changing Festival. For ages 3 to 6. 11am & 12.30pm; adult £8/child £5 (Oct 7)
Sun: Sadler’s Wells Fun Palace, Sadler’s Wells Theatre & the Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Visit the world famous dance theatre for an afternoon of free fun on multiple floors. There’s everything from reggaerobics, yoga and tai chi, to a family dance workshop and a silent disco! You can create and decorate your own footprint to hang from the ceiling in a group artwork, or try your hands at a flamenco workshop. All ages welcome. Various activities and times between 12pm-4pm; FREE (Oct 7)
We also like
Browse through a selection by 140 handpicked artists at The Other Art Fair at Victoria House, WC1 (Thu-Sun); or head to Frieze London art fair in Regent’s Park for an even wider choice, plus space to play for little ones before or after (Thu-Sun); have a crack at the annual Conkers Championships at Hampstead Heath, 2.30pm-6.30pm (Sun)
London with Kids: Weekend Cinema
A selection of cinemas to visit in London with kids, showing family friendly flicks at pocket money prices.
Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
FFC: Harryhausen Short Films (PG) at 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Oct 6)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Luis and the Aliens at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Oct 6)
Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, London SW4 0AT (Clapham Common tube)
Messy goes to OKIDO (Toddler Time) at 11am; adult £0/child £3 (Oct 6)
Zarafa at 11.45am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse, 65 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, N8 9BY (Hornsey/Harringay/Crouch Hill rail)
Zarafa at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
East Dulwich Picturehouse, 116A Lordship Lane, SE22 8HD (East Dulwich rail)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Gate Picturehouse, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ (Notting Hill tube)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Greenwich Picturehouse, 180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8NN (Greenwich Rail)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Odeon Kids, at Odeon Holloway and multiple locations (some films may vary by venue)
Incredibles 2 at 10am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6-7)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Zarafa at 12pm; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 6)
Hotel Transylvania 3 at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 13)
Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG (Brixton tube)
Zarafa at 10.30am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
Stratford Picturehouse, Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Zarafa at 11am; adult/child £2 (Oct 6)
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)
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
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)
Howl’s Moving Castle at 1pm; non-member£8.50/member £6/child £4 (Oct 7)
Coming Soon
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)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Luis and the Aliens at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Oct 28)
Booking Ahead
Alice in Wonderland – Let’s All Dance at Sadler’s Wells (Oct 13)
Big Fish Little Fish: Vikings & Dragons Family Rave at FEST, Camden (Oct 14)
Disco Loco: The Story of Reggae at Hackney Showroom (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 27-30, 2018)
