Doesn’t it feel gorgeous and summery all of a sudden? Well, we are half-way through May and festival season is upon us. For a fun day out with the family, try Urban Village Fete on Sunday — free music, arts and pop-up shows in lovely Greenwich. There are at least 11 more excellent things to do with kids in London this weekend. Take a look!
12 Excellent Things to do with Kids in London this Weekend
Thu: Matthew’s Puppet Film Club, Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Come to a monthly movie night, curated by Matthew Robins (Flyboy), the artist and puppet maker. Matthew will handpick films starring his favourite on-screen puppets, from The Muppets to Gremlins and more. This week it’s Labyrinth (U), the David Bowie musical fantasy co-written by Terry Jones. Each month will also themed activities from games or puppet bingo, to special guests, puppet disco, live acts and possibly prizes. Bar and snacks, homemade merchandise and souvenirs available too. For ages 8+ and adults. 7.30pm; £10 (May 16 and monthly)
Thu-Sun: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, box office Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park Inner Circle, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Summer’s here and the Open Air Theatre is back in action at Regent’s Park. Head to the Inner Circle for a vibrant programme of drama and musical theatre, in the sunshine or under the stars (dress appropriately). This year kicks off with Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winner Our Town (May 16-Jun 8, 7.45pm daily/Thu & Sat matinees 2.15pm), best for ages 11+. Hansel and Gretel is up next (Jun 14-22, 8pm daily + Sat Jun 22 also 2.15pm), an operatic take on the Grimm fairytale, suitable for ages 9+. Next up, Shakespeare’s playful tale of desire and enchantment, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jun 28-Jul 27, 7.45pm daily/Thu & Sat matinees 2.15pm). The season rounds off with the Andrew Lloyd Weber hit Evita (Aug 2-Sep 21, 7.45pm daily/Thu & Sat matinees 2.15pm). The musical tribute to Eva Peron, one-time spiritual leader of Argentina, is recommended for secondary-school age kids and adults. Ticket range £25-£62.50, confirm show times with box office ahead of visit (May 16-Sep 21)
Fri: Amazing Grace: Parent and Baby Screening at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Head to Rich Mix on Friday for an exclusive Parent and Baby screening of the concert film Amazing Grace. Starring the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, it’s a dazzling performance that’s sure to lift the roof and raise the hairs on your arms. Parents and caregivers can bring their younglings along to the screening, which features a calmer environment where the babes are free to make noise. Buggy parking and baby-changing available too! For adults with babies ages 2 and under. 12pm; adult £6/under 2s FREE (May 17)
Fri: Planet Play, Chickenshed Theatre, 290 Chase Side, Cockfosters, N14 4PE (Cockfosters tube)
The popular Chickenshed Theatre hosts a regular Friday morning session of puppetry and play. See your child be inspired to explore their surroundings through a multi-sensory activity filled with music, song and movement. Ages 0-3 and carers. 10am-10.45am (Fris, except May 31, 2019); adult £6, child £6, babies under 6 months FREE (Fridays until Jun 14)
Fri-Sun: King’s Cross Canopy Market: Chocolate Special, West Handyside Canopy, Just off Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ (King’s Cross St Pancras)
The Canopy Market at Kings X hosts another weekend special, as Cocoa Runners take over with the Chocolate Market. Watch master chocolatiers in action, sample handcrafted chocs, and buy goodies to take home. There’s Granary Square fountains nearby if it’s hot (the kids love it), plus DJ tunes, food and crafts stalls. All ages. Open Fri & Sat (12-8pm), Sun (11am-6pm); FREE entry (May 11-13)
Sat: Underbelly Festival: Variety Club 4 Kids, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Award-winning cabaret star Mat Ricardo and Comedy Club 4 Kids join forces to bring a show filled with thrills, skills, comedy and magic from some of the UK’s best variety acts. Suitable for ages 6+ with Comedy Club 4 Kids (May 18 at 1.15pm, tickets from £10.25). Also at Underbelly Family Fest this summer: Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance hall & brand-new Baby Cabaret, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Family Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grownups), Trash Test Dummies, Arr We There Yet, The Noise Next Door, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Shark in the Park and Basil Brush! All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts). Varying times, dates and prices from £8.50; book ahead (Apr 5-Sep 29)
Sat: Spotlight Saturday: Royal Armoured Corps, National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HT (Sloane Square tube)
For the monthly Spotlight Saturday, it’s the Royal Armoured Corps in focus. Bring the family for a day of free workshops, where you can meet serving members of the RAC, which provides the armoured warfare capability of the British Army. Learn the corp’s history, and even climb aboard a real tank! Other activities include Tank Wars (an obstacle course), and designing your own regimental cap badge. For younger kids aged 8 and under, the museum’s Play Base play space makes a welcome stop (booking ahead essential). 10am-4pm, FREE (charges for play space from £4.75 per child) (May 18)
Sat-Sun: The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Guess who’s coming to tea? Judith Kerr’s loveable picture book tells the surprising ’tail’ of a little girl and her mother who welcome a rather furry friend into their home. This roaring production (a West End smash hit) features music, magic, great storytelling and lots of teatime mayhem. Ages 3+. 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Sat), 11am & 2pm (Sun); from £9 (May 18-19)
Sun: Southbank Sinfonia Family Concert, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Treat your little ones to a taste of musical history, as you leap into the Southbank Sinfonia’s time machine. Fly between centuries to discover the brilliance of Beethoven and Mozart, plus other genius musicians right up to the present day. Fun interactive family concert with 33 young musicians, storytelling, tips and big-screen projections. There’s a chance to meet the players and have a go on their instruments after the show. All ages. 11.30am; adult £8/child £4 (May 19)
Sun: Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula, 1 Green Place, SE10 0PE (North Greenwich tube)
The annual Urban Village Fete returns to Greenwich this Sunday for another lively showcase of local crafts, culture, music, street theatre, fashion, food and family fun. Billed as a traditional fair on a grander scale, you can do everything from catching live DJs like Gilles Peterson and Robert Elms, to making something in a workshop. We love travelling in and around Greenwich, it’s especially fun for little ones with the Dockland Lights Railway driverless trains to North Greenwich, riding the Emirates Airline cable car, and/or taking the Thames Clipper boat there or back. All ages. 11am-7pm, FREE (May 19)
+ find more festivals and street parties in my Ultimate Festivals Guide for kids and families in London and beyond!
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish: Myth & Magic Family Rave at Proud Embankment, 8 Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2AB (Temple/Covent Garden tube)
From Glastonbury to Australia, the award-winning family ravers continue to bring the party to venues near and far. This weekend, they’re at Proud Embankment with DJ Richard Norris (The Grid) playing his BFLF debut, as well as BFLF Resident DJ Joe Muggs for an absolutely bangin’ set! Groove the afternoon away with your wild things or hang at the Villa Pia baby chill out area, Captain Cookie craft room, or licensed bar and mini stalls. Free transfers, glowsticks and a parachute dance finale all on the menu. All ages welcome, best for ages 0 to 8 and carers. 2pm-4.30pm; adult from £12/child £8.50/pre-walking infant FREE (May 19)
Sun: Family Day: Scribble Poetry at Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground, Hampstead/Belsize Park tube)
Head to the famous Regency villa where one of the great Romantic poets, John Keats, once rumbled up some of his most famous works. Hear about the poetry he wrote back in 1819 and be inspired to ‘hatch into sonnets’ of your own. All ages welcome. 2pm-4pm, drop in; FREE (May 19)
London Kids Cinema
Down at BFI Cinema this Sunday, you and the kids can watch a Fun day TV Preview of the Horrible Histories Victorian Special (May 19). Find more Kids Club weekend screenings for under £5 on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page for details!
Booking Ahead
Wake Up Gigs for Parents with Luke Marzec + TBA at Ace Hotel, Shoreditch (May 26)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved Kids Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (May 26)
Digital Kids Show at Battersea Evolution (May 26)
All Points East Festival: In the Neighbourhood (Free Programme) at Victoria Park (May 27-30)
Polo in the Park at Hurlingham Park (Jun 7-9)
Peter and the Wolf & Other Stories at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 9)
Zip Now London, central London (Jun 12-Sep 15)
Dots Day: Opera and Ballet workshops for under 5s at Royal Opera House, WC1 (Jun 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)
Fun DMC Daytime Family Block Party: Hip Hop Sepcial, Pitch Stratford (Jun 29)
Gelato Festival at Canopy Market, King’s Cross (Jun 29-30)
Aurora Orchestra Far Far Away, Kings Place, N1 (Jun 29-30 & Jul 6-7)
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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 9-12, 2019)
