We’ve had a fun week, celebrating Ezra turning 13, and my birthday just yesterday. The party goes on this weekend, with two nights out grooving to the sounds of Prince and Crazy P. I can’t wait, although my 40-something knees are already feeling the pain! On the family outings tip, there’s loads happening in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Check it out.
London Kids Weekend Scoop: 13 Ideas for a Family Day Out
Thu-Sun: Kids in Charge at KidZania London at KidZania, Westfield London (1st floor, between M&S and Gap), Ariel Way, W12 7GA (Shepherd’s Bush tube/overground)
Visit the indoor city run by kids, where — new for 2019 — your little ones can learn to be Just Dance coaches and pick up some cool moves. Or ride the new City Tour bus, train to be a tour guide, and earn yourself a KidZania salary. Grown-ups can join in the fun with Heart Family Sundays, where you can present a radio show, or make wraps in a family cookery session with Mission Deli. There’s lots more to do there from STEM learning to sports activities. And guess what? If your children are 8 or over, you can check them into KidZania any day, while you go off shopping in Westfield. Parents get a 20% discount at participating stores (show your KidZania pass). KidZania is aimed at kids ages 4-14 (they have a dedicated Early Years section for younger ones). The city has varied opening hours, from 9.30am; online prices – adult from £15 online/£18 door, child 4-14 from £18 online/£38 door, child 1-3 £10, under 1s FREE but booking required (ongoing)
Fri: The Winter’s Tale for ages 8+ at National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Visit the National Theatre to catch this fun and fierce interpretation of Shakespeare’s play, adapted for younger audiences. Perdita is a smart, beloved and brave young thing, but something is awry in her world. She gets caught up in magic and mayhem to uncover her destiny. Watch out for bears! For ages 8+. 11am and 1.30pm; adult £12/under 18s £8 (Feb 8-21)
Fri-Sun: Bedrooms of London at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Take a peek inside the bedrooms of some of London’s most vulnerable children, at this exhibition by photographer Katie Wilson. Her work highlights the conditions that children living in poverty have to endure, and the damaging consequences from a shortage of social housing. Photos are shown with first-hand narratives to create an affecting display, worth talking about with your own kids. Let them have a run, climb and play at nearby Coram’s Fields before or after your visit. Exhibition included with regular admission: 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun); adult from £10/ages 21 and under FREE (Feb 8-May 5)
Fri-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: Sea Show at Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park N6 5HG (Archway tube)
Join puppeteer, musician and actor Craig Johnson at this quirky cabaret show crossed with a history trip. Hear tall tales from the sea, live music, slapstick and fascinating facts. You’ll also meet characters like Captain Pemburthy, Ruan the reformed seagull, Morwenna the mermaid, and a host of underwater creatures. Great fun for ages 3+ and their families. Stick around for a short arts and crafts session afterwards. 10.30am; £8.50/concs £6.50/family ticket £30 (£20 concs) (Feb 9)
Sat: Chinese New Year at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
If you can’t face the crowds in Chinatown on Sunday, there’s a more intimate celebration in Bethnal Green. Try your hand at calligraphy, browse craft stalls, watch a lion dance, and check out the museum’s Chinese children’s art show. All ages. 11am-4.30pm, FREE (Feb 9)
Sat: Chinese New Year at National Maritime Museum, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Enjoy a great day out in Greenwich at this colourful celebration. Watch live dance performances, take part in Dragon Dance workshops, learn the history of British and Chinese struggle for the tea trade, make junk bunting inspired by Chinese flags, hear stories and more. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm, FREE (Feb 9)
Sat-Sun: Orchids: Celebrate the Colour of Colombia at Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Brighten up your weekend with this colourful festival of flowers at the beautiful botanical gardens. This year it’s all about Colombia and their native wildlife, with highlights including a ‘Carnival of Animals’s display (think toucans, turtles, sloths and a life-sized jaguar). See hundreds of butterflies hanging from the glasshouse ceiling, as well as a spectacular ensemble of orchids. All ages. Advanced booking recommended. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); adult from £16.50/child £4.50(Feb 9-Mar 10)
Sat-Sun: Little Angel Theatre: Prince Charming, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
A musical puppetry production about a Prince who’s having a rather hard time. He’s got dragons to battle, worlds to save, and princesses to worry about. Holed up in his bedroom, counting his many worries, it looks like someone needs to come to his rescue. Sweet, funny and poignant for anyone who’s ever felt a little anxious. For ages 6-11 and grown-ups. This weekend shows at 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun), times vary weekly; adult £14/child 1-15 £11 (previews Feb 8-15 child £7), all tickets £7 on Sun Mar 10 & 17, Friday Fives: £5 for tickets at 5pm Fridays (Feb 8-Apr 7)
If you’re not too chilly to sit on a barge, head to this charming theatre on the canal, for a puppet show to remember. It’s a fish out of water (or mouse out of field) tale about two cousins, who swap lives for a bit, and learn a lot about themselves and each other. Told with rod puppets, it’s perfect for all ages. 11am & 3pm; adult £13/child £9/concs £ 10 (Feb 9-Mar 24)
Sun: Chinese New Year: Year of the Pig Celebrations around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square
Ezra does Mandarin club at school and keeps correcting my pronunciation, so I’ll just say it in English. Happy Year of the Pig! As always, there’s a great big party in Chinatown with thousands cramming the area for tasty street food, restaurant offers, artisan stalls, traditional lion and dragon dances, calligraphy workshops and a festive atmosphere. In Trafalgar Square, there’s more fun with big stages showcasing acrobatics, martial arts, live music, plus food trucks and a pyrotechnics finale. All ages welcome. Parade from 10am, festival from 11am-6pm; FREE (Feb 10)
Sun: Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away (top image) at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Don’t hesitate to book tickets (last few remaining) for this immersive family concert led by the Aurora Orchestra. You’ll enter a Green Leaf Forest to walk the tightrope across a dancing river, make friends with a lion cub and croak along with rascally frogs. Follow Pepper the monkey as he runs off to join the Rainbow Circus. An original story from Kate Wakeling, poet and Aurora Writer-in-Residence, is set to new chamber arrangements of Schumann’s music. For ages 0–5 and families. 10.30am, 11.30am & 12.30pm (Sun Feb 10), other times 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1.30pm; £6.50-£8.50 (Feb 10, 16 & 17, 24)
Sun: Circles in the Sand at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Bring your wee ones along for this delightful show, set in a world of buckets and castles that grow bigger, then dissolve. One actress takes the audience on a journey that involves tumbling, spinning and exploring, and at the end kids can come on stage to play along. A lovely experiences for ages 0 to 3 and their adults. 11am, 1pm & 3pm – HURRY, limited availability; from £9 (Feb 10)
London Kids Weekend Scoop: Cinema Listings
House of Vans: Feelgood Films, at Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
At House of Vans, the uber-cool skate park/events space, you can watch an uplifting movie with your family for free. Next screenings include 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
Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, Camden (Feb 16)
Paper Pirate Theatre Workshop at V&A Museum of Childhood (Feb 18)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 16-24)
Cirque Eloize: Hotel at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Feb 20-Mar 9)
Barbican Open Fest: Art 50 at Barbican Centre (Feb 23)
Everyone a Maker: In My Name at Rich Mix, E1 (Mar 3)
World Book Day at KidZania London, Shepherd’s Bush (Mar 6-10)
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)
Our February Half-Term Guide is out next week. 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!**
20 Questions for Ezra on his 13th Birthday
