Pinch punch. It’s almost the first day of the month and birthday season comes to an end. Sniffle. After a warm and wonderful February, we’re looking forward to March and the coming Spring. Today, I’ve listed 13 fantastic things to do in London with kids this weekend. Whatever you do, have a good one x
13 Fantastic Things to do in London with Kids this Weekend
Thu-Sat: The Animals and Children Took to the Streets at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube)
Set in the Bayou in 1927, Agnes Eaves and her daughter arrive in a dangerous part of town where strange things happen. Storytelling, animation and live music in this ‘graphic novel burst into life’ for ages 10+ and grown-ups. Various shows at 7pm (Fri), 7.30pm (Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri), 1.30pm & 7.30pm (Wed), 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat) — dates and times subject to change, confirm at booking; £10-£42/February Half Term offer: get a half-price adult ticket when booking an under 16 ticket during Feb 14-24 (until Mar 16)
Thu-Sun: Cirque Eloize: Hotel at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
We were blown away by Cirque Eloize a few years back, so excited to see them returning to Peacock Theatre this season. Check into their art deco grand hotel, for a night of jaw-dropping circus, in the company of 12 acrobats and musicians. Ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6.30pm (Sun); £15-£45/under 16s discount available (max 2 child discounts per full paying adult) (Feb 20-Mar 9)
Thu-Sun: Giant Playground at Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT (Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus tube)
The flagship Regent Store is transformed into a giant playground over its 7 floors. Meet and greet your favourite characters from How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World and The LEGO Movie 2, try Quidditch training and a Sorting Hat ceremony, Scalextric racing, workshops, toys and prizes. Every day, one family gets to ring the Hamleys bell to open the store! Daily activities listed on their Facebook page. All ages. From 10am daily, FREE (until Mar 3)
Thu-Sun: Good Grief, Charlie Brown! at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross Rd/Temple/Covent Garden tube)
LAST CHANCE to catch the acclaimed retrospection of works by Charles M Schulz. The vast exhibition features comic strips, vintage artefacts, merchandise and more. Sit on a beanbag in the Snoopy Cinema and catch a Peanuts TV episode; have a go on Snoopy typewriters in Lucy’s Psychiatric Help Booth; or try your hand at sketching Peanuts characters. Keep an eye out for additional events and activities programmed to accompany the exhibition throughout its run. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun), 11am-8pm (Wed-Fri) – last entry 1 hour prior to closing time; adult £14/concs £11/under 12s FREE (until Mar 3)
Thu-Sun: Mandela: The Official Exhibition, 26 Leake Street Gallery, SE1 7NN (Waterloo rail/tube)
He was one of the world’s all-time greatest heroes, and this groundbreaking touring exhibition is not to be missed. Rediscover Nelson Mandela through a series of experiential galleries, documenting his activism, time in prison, period as South Africa’s first democratic ruler, and ongoing struggle for truth, justice and reconciliation. Film footage, photos, historical artefacts and personal effects create an immersive slice of life. All ages, best for 3+. Advanced booking. 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm); from adult £15/concs – under 17/over 65 £13.50/family and friends £11.25 (Feb 8-Jun 3)
Sat: Flippin’ Good Fun Pancake Race, Greenwich Market, College Approach, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ (Greenwich rail)
Holy crepes. Pancake Day gets an early start in Greenwich Market this year, as their annual pancake race kicks off — or rather, flips off — this weekend. Show up and get your pans working, either as a solo or team sportsperson, and raise money for a good cause. You can win medials and of course stacks of pancakes are on offer from market traders. 10am-5.30pm; FREE (Mar 2 & 5)
Sat: Thames Discovery Programme Tadpoles Season Launch at Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED (Essex Rd rail/Old St, Angel tube)
Budding archaeologists are invited to become Tadpoles, at the third year of this award-winning Thames Discovery Programme. Run by MOLA, the Tadpoles is a free season of activities along the Thames foreshore. Dig for treasure, go on guided walks, and learn more about the river and its role in London’s history. Tadpoles are encouraged to attend all sessions but it’s not a requirement, and parents are most welcome. Ages 8 to 18. Season launch session at 12.30pm-2.30pm; FREE but booking required via jfrost@mola.org.uk (Mar 2)
Sat: Out of the Hat at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
The songs of Ton Gray of Gomez keep this lively tale about friendship and magic ticking along. Doris and Delilah are inspired to put on a magic show, after they wake up to find some strange, sparkly object has dropped out of the sky. Meet fireflies, a giant singing frog and other fun characters in a charming production for ages 2 to 8.
11am & 2pm (Sat); adult/child £7 (babies 12 months and under go FREE on carer’s lap) (Mar 2)
Sat: Cutty Sark Carnival, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Put on your fancy rags and prepare for a party atmosphere on the world-famous tea clipper. The Cutty Sark Carnival celebrates the ship’s many voyages to Brazil, when she sailed under the Portuguese flag and was called ‘Ferreira’. Ages 4+. 11.30am-1.30pm, 2pm-4pm; free with regular admission adult from £12.15/child from £6.30 (Mar 2)
Sat-Sun: Pirates Sleepover at Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green Tube)
Pack up your swords and buckle your swash for a night in the museum with pint-sized pirates. The V&A Museum of Childhood hosts this fun-sounding sleepover with pirate tales, yaarsome games and torchlit tours. An adventure for ages 6 to 12 and their adults. 7pm (Sat) until 9am (Sun); £40 per person (Mar 2-3)
Sun: Morgan and West: Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show for Kids (main image) at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
The brain-boggling illusionists return for another raucous afternoon of magic, mischief and outright mayhem. It’s spirit-lifting, paradigm-shifting, furniture-rearranging fun for everyone aged 5+. 12pm & 3pm; adult/child £9.95 (Mar 3)
Sun: Vault Festival: Boh Boh Finds Home at Vaults (under Waterloo), Leake Street, SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
Take a trip through the galaxy with your little ones, hopping off at a range of planets. You’ll be trying to help a loveable alien named Boh Boh find his way back home. The journey through space takes in dance, vocabulary and motor skills exercises, performed in English with Cantonese support. For ages 2 to 7 and carers. 3.25pm-4.25pm; adult/child £10, babies under 2 £5 (Mar 3)
Sun: Everyone a Maker: In My Name at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
One for the girls. Magic Me is hosting a family workshop involving women of all ages (and anybody who identifies as female) along to chat, create and discover themselves through words and art. You’ll work with theatre-maker Sue Mayo and visual artist Mia Harris to craft a statement of names that make you feel good, along with your very own ‘necklace of declaration’. Ages 7+. 11am-2.30pm (12.30pm-1pm lunch break); FREE entry
London Kids Cinema
Have you seen How to Train Your Dragons: The Hidden World? We saw it over February half-term and I’m not ashamed to say I cried. It was funny, tender, exciting and inspirational – everything you want in an epic climax to a fantastic trilogy. Don’t miss it! You can catch cheaper screenings at a variety of London cinemas from next weekend.
Find more Kids Club movies at £5 or less this weekend at a Cinema near you in London. Visit our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
World Book Day at KidZania London, Shepherd’s Bush (Mar 6-10)
The Carnival of Animals at Lauderdale House (Mar 9)
The Show in Which Hopefully Nothing Happens at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 21-Apr 28)
Everyone a Maker: Everyone an Architect at Rich Mix, E1 (Mar 31)
Beasts of London at Museum of London (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage (Family Sleepover), at The Golden Hinde, SE1 (Apr 6, May 4 & Jun 1)
Digital Kids Show at Battersea Evolution (May 26)
Want to get to know me better? I’ve blogged about 10 Things You Might Not Know about Me… fun, random and a little bit strange. Take a peek.
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
10 Things You Might not Know about Me
