We’re hurtling towards October and the half-term and Halloween scoops, but first let’s delve into what’s happening this weekend in London for kids and families. Our picks of the week include Open House London, Lee Valley Farm Fest, the return of Mwalimu Express monthly family club and a child-friendly show about politics at Arts Depot.
Hope you’ve also checked out the Autumn hot list? Loads of great ideas to bookmark for the season ahead.
What’s Happening this Weekend in London for Kids and Families
Thu-Sat: Displays of Power: A Natural History of Empire at Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square tube)
If you’re a fan of the museum’s popular Explore Zoology family workshops, then you’ll want to catch this intriguing exhibition. It delves into the history of the British Empire and how it acquired all these specimens from around the globe. Explore UCL’s part in the imperial trade of living and dead animals, and how it impacts the natural world today. All ages, best for 6+. 1pm-5pm (Mon-Sat), FREE (Sep 19-Mar 7, 2020)
Thu-Sun: London Design Festival, King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard, N1C (King’s Cross/St Pancras tube/rail)
For the first time, London’s creative quarter is a London Design Festival Design District. Family-friendly highlights include Craft and Graft: Making Science Happen, going behind the scenes at Francis Crick Institute. Also see The Store at Coal Drops Yard for After School Shop – products created by state schoolchildren. It’s all around Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, a brilliant family space with splash fountains, gelato shop (Ruby Violet), pop-up ping pong (in the Granary building), loads of restaurants and Canopy Market (Fri-Sun). Multiple dates and times, some activities are FREE (Sep 14-22)
Thu-Sun: Totally Thames, multiple locations
The annual celebration of the Thames continues with a variety of spoken word, pop-up theatre, art shows, storytelling and watery installations. Full programme on website, various times, mostly FREE (Sep 1-30)
Fri-Sun: Arts Depot: The Scarecrows’ Wedding, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
The fabulous Scamp Theatre (of Stick Man fame) are back with another lively adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture books. Will Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay have the wedding of their dreams, or will Reginald Rake wreck their big day? Live music and lots of laughs for ages 3+. 4.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); from £9 (Sep 20-22)
Sat-Sun: Open House London: Open House Families, multiple locations around London
Each year, hundreds of London’s most intriguing buildings are open to the general public for one weekend. For parents with younger kids, Open House Families highlights kid-friendly architecture and family tours at popular venues like Lauderdale House, Fulham Palace and Museum of London Docklands. All ages welcome. From around 10am daily, multiple venues, FREE (Sep 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Underbelly Festival: The Lovely Bug Ball, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Enter a forest like no other, filled with insect puppets of all shapes and sizes on their way to a very special event. The Lovely Bug Ball is a magical, non-verbal (ASC friendly) show set to an original soundtrack and aimed at ages 4 to 104. 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Sat) & 1.30pm (Sun); from £10.25 (Sep 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Farm Fest at Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 2EF (Cheshunt rail)
Put on your wellies and mucky gear for a day at the farm celebrating harvest time. Meet and greet the usual animal suspects, listen to live music, get your face painted, bounce around on inflatables and see a kids entertainer. You’ll be fed and watered at the Bumble Bee Cafe or tuck into on-site BBQ. 10am-5pm; £10 (Sep 21-22)
Sun: Mwalimu Express: African Dance & Cinema Party at 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Mwalimu Express is back for another glorious season of food, film, family fun and culture. The monthly, African-inspired event offers DJ tunes, parent and toddler dance, African board games, market stalls and Senegalese street food straight from the pot. Hang out, meet people, dance and watch live music, then stick around for some African cinema to wind things down. All ages welcome, from babies upwards. 2pm-6pm, FREE (Sep 22, Oct 27, Nov 24 & Dec 22)
Sun: How Does this Politics Thing Work Then?, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Brexit, schmexit. What’s it all about anyway? Tatton Spiller (Simple Politics) and Tiernan Douieb (Comedy Club 4 Kids, CBBC’s The Slammer) break down politics for the young (and young at heart), helping to make sense of it all with passion and tons of humour. Ages 6+. 11am & 2pm; from £9 (Sep 22)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Put it in Print, Meet in Front Hall of Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
The RA has partnered with the Royal Institution, as part of Open House London, to create this day of drop-in STEAM activities. Make rods from recycled newspaper using the STIXX machine, then transform them into buildings that float above ground. You’ll also work in 2D on a collaborative ink mural of a floating city. All ages welcome. 11am-3pm, FREE (Sep 22)
Sun: Jacksons Lane: Ensonglopedia of Science, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
What do you get when you mix theatre, music and science? An explosive show packed with atoms, black holes, cells, DNA, folk, gospel, hip hop, interpretative dance, jive, words and rhyming. Join multi-award winning writer and performer John Hinton on a 1 hour journey through his Ensonglopedia of Science. Aimed at ages 7+, younger ones welcome as well as adults without kids. 12pm & 3pm, £9.95 (Sep 22)
Sun: British Library: Family Takeover, Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre, British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Bring the kids along for an afternoon of multi sensory play, exploring the British Library’s sound collection. There will be arts material provided so you can make and take your own creation, plus a mix of children’s books available to read. Pick up a Building Family Trail or dive into one of the library’s exhibitions (some charges apply). Braille and tactile books on offer too. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm, FREE (Sep 22)
London Kids Cinema
Kirikou and the Sorceress is playing this Saturday at the Barbican’s monthly Family Film Club this, tickets are only £2!
Find more family friendly movies at weekend Kids Club screenings (films for under £5) on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
Fun DMC: House Special at Pitch Stratford (Sep 28)
Explore Zoology at Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL (Sep 28)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves: Vikings & Dragons in Balham (Sep 28) & Pirates in Camden (Sep 29)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved Kids Disco (Sep 29)
Family Sundays at Royal Opera House (Sep 29, Oct 27, Nov 10, Dec 8 & Jan 12, 2020)
Storystock Presents Goldilocks and Arabian Nights at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 19)
Skate at Somerset House (Nov 13-Jan 12)
**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!**
