It’s the London Marathon on Sunday and we’ll be rooting for my girl Mirka @Fitness4Mamas, running to raise money for a cancer-fighting charity. Go Mirka! If you can brave the crowds in central London, go to a Vaisakhi party (Sat) in Trafalgar Square (think feasting and family fun). There’s tons more to do in London with kids in the Weekend Scoop. Enjoy x
14 Inspiring Things to do in London with kids this Weekend
Thu-Fri: Westfield Centres: Peppa Pig’s Muddy Walk, at Westfield London, (Arts and crafts area outside Debenhams), Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7GF (Shepherd’s Bush tube/rail/overground) and Westfield Stratford (Arts and Crafts area outside Primark in the North Gallery), Montfichet Road, Olympic Park, E20 1EJ (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
Piglets and their mamas and papas are invited to join in Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddle Walk at Westfield shopping centres this Thursday (Westfield London) and Friday (Westfield Stratford). It’s in aid of Save the Children and promises to be a fun adventure, walking around the centre to find Peppa’s friends dotted about. Participants will get a certificate from The Entertainer toy shop and a chance to meet Peppa Pig. Activities for younger ones include colouring in and dot to dots. Every hour from 10am-4pm (sessions last 30 mins) on Thu (Westfield London) & Fri (Westfield Stratford); FREE entry (Apr 25-26)
Thu-Sun: Beasts of London at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN (St Paul’s/Barbican tube)
The Museum of London’s landmark exhibition looks fantastic and we can’t wait to check it out. Rediscover London history as told by the animals who helped shape it. You’ll travel back to the Roman age, through Medieval times and up to the present day in an immersive tour narrated by the beasts themselves. Listen out for familiar ‘animal’ voices from the likes of Brian Blessed, Kat Moss, Pam Ferris, Nish Kumar, Stephen Mangan, Angellica Bell and Joe Pasquale. Digital installation with video projection mapping, created in partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Take your wild things ages 7+ (younger ones welcome but be advised, some scary elements). 10am-6pm; adult £8/child £4 (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)
Thu-Sun: Underbelly Festival: Family Fest and Morgan & West’s Magic, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
The Underbelly Festival hosts its first ever Family Fest, with lots on for younger audiences. This weekend, you can catch Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Family Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grownups) this Sat (show at 1.15pm, tickets from £10.25). For Also whatever you do, make sure to catch the incredible acrobatic troupe A Simple Space before they bounce (7.30pm weekdays, 3.30pm & 6pm weekends, from £23 – until May 5). Upcoming highlights from May include Basil Brush (September) and throughout summer, The Showstoppers Kids Show, The Amazing Bubble Man, Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance hall & brand-new Baby Cabaret, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Trash Test Dummies, Arr We There Yet, The Noise Next Door, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Shark in the Park and many more. All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts). Varying times, dates and prices from £8.50; book ahead (Apr 5-Sep 29)
Thu-Sun: The Show in Which Hopefully Nothing Happens at 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
LAST CHANCE: If you enjoy the theatre of the absurd, then you’ll lap up this production from the Netherlands. An actor who never gets his turn versus a security guard who doesn’t want anything to shake things up. It’s either the most boring show in history… or the most brilliant? Beloved by fans across Europe, US and Canada, it’s great for ages 6-10 and older. Varying times from 11am (Thu-Fri), 2pm (Sat) & 11.30am (Sun); adult £10-£16/child under 18 £10 (until Apr 28)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish: Magic & Mayhem Family Rave at The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
The globally acclaimed, multiple award-winning family rave returns to south London. The theme is ‘Magic & Mayhem’ so get a little crazy, and add some sparkle to your afternoon. DJ Mark Force (Bugz in the Attic) keeps the club classics coming for young and old. These brilliant events feature Villa Pia baby chill out area, Captain Cookie craft room, licensed bar and mini stalls, free transfers and glowsticks and a parachute dance finale. All ages welcome, best for ages 0 to 8 and carers. 2pm-4.30pm; adult from £10/child £7/pre-walking infant FREE (Apr 27)
Sat: Family Fun at Leighton House Museum: Storytelling with Vanessa Woolf, at Leighton House Museum, 12 Holland Park Road, W12 8LZ (Kensington Olympia/High St Kensington tube)
Celebrate springtime with an afternoon of magic and enchantment, in the company of storyteller Vanessa Woolf. Pick one or two sessions from Echo and Narcissus (2pm) and Why Dogs Chase Cats (3pm), and learn a thing or two while being entertained with your brood. Stick around for the new Scavenger Hunt Trail, an interactive family trail to discover Leighton, his house and garden (get a pack at reception). Storytelling best for ages 4-11. 2pm-3.30pm (museum opening hours 10am-5.30pm); child £3/adult FREE (Apr 27)
Sat: Professor Kaos: So! You Want to Be a Scientist? at The Cockpit theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH (Marylebone tube/rail)
Every last Saturday of the month, the Cockpit puts on a family show. This week, you’re in the hands of mad scientist Professor Kaos, who’s teaching you how to invent stuff. Loads of bangs, slime, stupidity, flashing lights and lasers. Great semi-educational fun for ages 5+. Show at 2pm; £7/family of 4 £24 (local discounts £5/£16 family of 4, for people living in Church Street Ward postcodes: NW1 5**, NW1 6**, NW8 7**, NW8 8**, W2 1**. Bring proof of address) (Apr 27)
Sat: Meet Florence Nightingale, Florence Nightingale Museum, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7EW (Lambeth North tube/rail)
On the last Saturday of each month, meet Miss Nightingale and learn how she became the ‘Lady with the Lamp’. Find out why she defied her parents’ wishes to earn her name in history as one of the most famous nurses, and the impact she made for nurses and soldiers in the Crimea War. Meet Florence’s pet owl and see the real lamp she once carried! All ages welcome, best for 5+. Museum opens 10am-5pm. Meet Miss Nightingale at 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3pm; adult £8/child £4 (Apr 27, and every last Saturday)
Sat: British Library Family Workshop: Create a Map, British Library Entrance Hall, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Visit the gorgeous British Library and be inspired by the exhibition Imaginary Cities, at this special family workshop. Artists Judith Brocklehurst and Emma McGarry lead this session, encouraging you to playfully observe and record your surroundings. Then using sound, drawing and materials you’d find about the house, you’ll work as a group to create a large 3D map of the library’s interior. Best for ages 5-11. 10.30am-12pm & 1pm-2.30pm; FREE – drop in, first come first served. (Apr 27)
Sat-Sun: King’s Cross Classic Car Boot Sale, Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4UZ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Vroom. Start your engines and park your attitude for this super hip, yet laid-back annual event. Every year, petrol heads and people-watchers gather in King’s X for the Classic Car Boot Sale. See vintage motors, view live art, join in workshops, enjoy the vibes and DJ music, check out food and drink stalls, and browse for clothes, records and knick-knacks. 10am-6pm; £5 entry (£4 advance tickets), many activities are FREE (Apr 27-28)
Sat-Sun: The Insect Circus at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
LAST CHANCE: Leave common sense behind and marvel at the bizarre, delightful world of the Insect Circus. It’s a show without words that features Victorian trick marionettes conjuring up wasps, grasshoppers, beetles, dragonflies and other winged creatures. Ages 3+. 11am & 3pm; adult £13/child £9/concs £10 (until Apr 28)
Sun: How Does It Feel to Be Loved Kids Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
London’s popular indie kids disco returns for its monthly session. As seen at End of the Road Festival, the How Does it Feel to be Loved children’s disco welcomes all styles and moods to the dance floor, playing a mix of soulful, classic pop and indie grooves. Music tastes range from the Smiths to the Supremes, the Rolling Stones to the Ramones. All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Apr 28)
Sun: Mwalimu Express: African Dance & Cinema Party at 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
The fabulous and FREE family celebration is back at Rich Mix. An African inspired afternoon of delicious food, a pop-up music gig, arts and craft market and a film to settle down with towards the end. Take part in Parent and Toddler dance, learn an African board game, groove to DJ tunes, and tuck into some tasty Senegalese street food. All ages welcome, from babies upwards. 2pm-6pm, FREE (Apr 28 & May 26)
London Kids Cinema
Avengers: Endgame is out on general release this weekend! So excited to see how it all wraps up. Also hot for kids and families at the box office: Shazam!, Captain Marvel, Dumbo, Little and Missing Link.
Over on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page, you can find weekend Kids Club screenings for less than a fiver!
Booking Ahead
Breakin’ Convention, Sadler’s Wells (May 3-5)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage (Family Sleepover), at The Golden Hinde, SE1 (May 4 & Jun 1)
Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice (May 4-6)
Kentish Town City Farm: May Day Festival (May 5)
Streatham Kite Day, Streatham Common (May 12)
Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival (May 12)
Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park (May 16-Sep 21)
Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula (May 19)
Digital Kids Show at Battersea Evolution (May 26)
Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park (Jun 7-9)
Zip Now London, central London (Jun 12-Sep 15)
Fork to Fork at Franklin Primary, NW6 (Jun 16)
Open House Families (architecture festival), multiple locations (Jun 22-23)
The Cally Festival, Caledonian Rd, N1 (Jun 23)
The Great Exhibition Road Festival, Imperial College London (Jun 28-30)
Gelato Festival at Canopy Market, King’s Cross (Jun 29-30)
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Jun 30)
**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!**
A Simple Space – Family Circus by Gravity & Other Myths (Babes Review)
