Happy February! Our Aquarian crew will be celebrating Birthday Season this month, don’t miss this weekend’s Birthday Interview on the blog with my big lad who turns 13 (shocking). It’s snowing outside but most of the activities on our London Kids Weekend Scoop will keep you safely indoors. So wrap up warm and have a great one x
12+ Indoor Activities to Do with Kids in London this Weekend
Fri: Rise and Fall at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Hurry and you just might catch the last available performance this weekend for Rise and Fall, a light and bouncy show about learning to hold on and let go. Filled with forever flying, floating, expanding and deflating balloons, this is interactive entertainment for ages 3 to 6. 1.30pm; adult £13/child £11 (Feb 1)
Fri-Sat: The Goose Who Flew at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
It’s summertime, the best season for Goose and his family of feathered friends. But as winter arrives, Goose has to fly south and he discovers a new border of barbed wire and flashing lights. The Goose Who Flew uses puppetry and quirky characters to tell an affecting story of migration, and trying to find yourself in a new land. Ages 3 to 7. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat); adult/child £7 (babies 12 months and under go FREE on carer’s lap) (Feb 1-2)
Fri-Sat: Gandini Juggling and Alexander Whitley at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
We last saw the Gandini Juggling sensation at Camp Bestival and if you get the chance, you should definitely hotfoot it to Sadler’s Wells to see this show. The famous juggling team are collaborating with choreographer Alexander Whitley to recreate ‘Spring’ in the form of multiple styles of movement, juggling, colours, patterns and rhythms. Set to a funky score and lighting by award-winning designer Guy Hoare, it’s sure to dazzle and delight audiences ages 7+ (NB: under 5s not admitted). 7.30pm, £12-£30 (Jan 31-Feb 2)
Sat: Islington Swish and Style, New Unity Hall, 277A Upper St, Islington, N1 2TZ (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
One for my Islington locals. Grab your old school and sports kit, shoes, and all that stuff you’ve decluttered since you started watching Marie Kondo on Netflix. The Swish and Style is the perfect place to lighten your load, and pick up some useful new gear. Bring up to 15 items and make sure it’s quality, tat will be rejected! There will be up-cycling workshops and pop-up tailoring on site. All ages. 2pm, FREE for local residents (Feb 2)
Sat: Grant Museum of Zoology: Explore Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square tube)
Boy is it chilly outside. Escape the deep freeze and dive into a world, back in time. Discover zoological wonders and be inspired to make your own work of art. This is a welcoming space for curious minds to explore all sorts of specimens, from quagga to dodo. All ages. 1pm-4pm, drop in, FREE (Feb 2)
Sat-Sun: Chinese New Year at Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, Hertsmere Rd, West India Quay, E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/rail, West India Quay DLR)
Head to the original spot of London’s first Chinatown in Limehouse, where it was created in the 19th century, just around the corner from the Museum of London Docklands. Celebrate the coming Year of the Pig with a morning and afternoon of family fun. Ribbon dances, percussion workshops, theatre, traditional lion dance, martial arts training, arts and crafts and more are on the menu. Perfectly suited to kids ages 3+, but all ages are welcome. Gong hei fat choy! Multiple times and activities between 11am and around 4.30pm, drop-in, all FREE (Feb 2-3)
Sat-Sun: Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
You’d better get a move on if you want to nab tickets for this groundbreaking show, featured in my Top 19 things to do in London 2019. Christian Dior was one of the hottest designers of the 20th century, and this exhibition looks back on his couture, accessories, sketches, and other memorabilia. The V&A is also a great spot to visit with the kids, with frequent weekend activities and a lovely cafe. 10am-4pm; £20-£24. (Feb 2-Jul 14)
Sun: City of London Dollshouse Festival, The Tower Hotel, St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LD (Tower Hill tube)
An afternoon to delight any fan of dolls and teeny accessories. The annual festival draws spectators from far and wide, to gawp at the handiwork of craftspeople skilled in miniature houses and furnishings. It’s like stepping into a Lilliputian world. All ages welcome. 11am-5pm; adult £8 (£5 after 2pm, door only); child £4; family tickets £18 (after 2pm, door only); under 3s FREE (Feb 3)
Sun: Disco Loco: Rainbow Ball (top image) at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
The East London rave family Disco Loco is celebrating diversity this Sunday, at one of their popular Rainbow Balls. Host MC Chu-I and resident DJs Emilia Harmony, Rev Milo Speedwagon & Mark Rostron will keep the tunes and vibes flowing, and families of all sizes, shades, shapes and descriptions are heartily welcomed. Licensed bar and refreshments on offer. All ages welcome, from babies ages 6 months and up. 2pm-5pm, £4 per person adv/door, pre-walkers and grandmothers FREE (Feb 3)
Sun: Joseph Grimaldi Clown Service, Livermere Road, E8 4EZ (Haggerston overground)
Once again, clowns of the world unite for the annual service in tribute to Joseph Grimaldi. Get there early (like hours ahead) if you want seats, but you can enjoy the spectacle at any point before or after the service. Hundreds of clowns in costume paying their respects to the clown master himself. Great fun or coulrophobic nightmare? Your call. All ages welcome. 1.30pm, FREE (Feb 3)
Sun: Jack and the Beanstalk, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Fee fi fo fum, I smell the shoes of a very large man, stomping all over the stage in this vivid production of the classic fairytale. CBeebies Patrick Lynch retells the story of Jack who sells a cow for magic beans and winds up in a strange land above the clouds. Look out for tiny houses, big surprises and plenty of fun for wee ones (and their giants). Ages 3+. Limited availability for 2pm show; from £9 (Feb 3)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Feeling, Seeing, Making, multiple locations, meet in Wohl entrance hall for direction, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Enjoy another day of making and creating with your kids, at the friendly family studio. Play with oil, crayon, ink and water, make spectacular light drawings, and produce a family portrait to take home. All ages welcome. 11am-3pm, FREE (Feb 3)
London Kids Cinema
Family Film Club: March of the Penguins + Show and Tell by Head of Oceans, Greenpeace UK, Will McCallum at Barbican Cinema, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Cuteness overload. A special screening of the Oscar-winning documentary March of the Penguins, telling the tale of Emperor penguins and their incredible cycle of life in some of the earth’s harshest conditions. It follows the journey of one penguin couple, trekking across the Antarctic over the course of a year. Special intro by Will McCallum of Greenpeace UK. Best for ages 3+, all ages welcome (no adults admitted without at least one child, and vice versa). 11am, adult £3.50/child £2.50 (Feb 2)
House of Vans: Feelgood Films, at Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
Head to House of Vans, the uber-cool skate park/events space, and watch a free film to lift your mood. Upcoming screenings include School of Rock (Feb 3, PG), Forrest Gump (Feb 16, PG) and Labyrinth (Feb 17, PG). Screenings at 5pm & 7.15pm (Fri), 3pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 4pm (Sun); FREE (until Feb 17)
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
A Winter’s Tale for ages 8+ at National Theatre (Feb 8-21)
Chinese New Year: Year of the Pig around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square (Feb 10)
Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away at Kings Place, N1C (Feb 10, 16 & 17, 24)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 16-24)
Barbican Open Fest: Art 50 at Barbican Centre (Feb 23)
The Show in Which Hopefully Nothing Happens at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 21-Apr 28)
Beasts of London at Museum of London (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)
Our February Half-Term Guide is coming soon. Don’t forget to see what else we’re loving in LONDON 2019!
**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!**
Photo credits: Lyngo – Jack and the Beanstalk (c) Alex Brenner
London Kids Weekend Scoop (January 24-27, 2019)
