Have you seen our Autumn hot list? You’ll find some cool ideas for the weekend there, and here’s more of what’s happening for families in London over the next couple of days.
London Kids Weekend Scoop: Cool Ideas for you and Your Family
(Mini Mode-Photography Credit Santoshi Padhiar)
Fri-Sun: London Design Festival, King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard, N1C (King’s Cross/St Pancras tube/rail)
For the first time ever, London’s creative quarter aka King’s Cross will become a London Design Festival Design District. There’s ton’s happening, starting this weekend – family-friendly highlights include Craft and Graft: Making Science Happen, a behind-the-scenes look at Francis Crick Institute (great STEM learning). Also check The Store at Coal Drops Yard for their After School Shop of products created by local schoolkids. It’s all in and around Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, which is a vibrant hub for families with splash fountains, gelato store (Ruby Violet), ping pong tables (in the Granary building), loads of restaurants and the weekend Canopy Market (Fri-Sun). Multiple dates and times, some activities are FREE (Sep 14-22)
Fri-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: Zip Now London, Archbishop’s Park, Carlisle Lane, SE1 7LE (Lambeth North tube/Waterloo tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE to ride the world’s fastest city zip wire, launching from 35m above ground at speeds of up to 50km an hour. Ages 8+ (minimum height 1.2m). All kids must be accompanied by adult. 11.30am-7.30pm (Mon-Fri), 9.30am-7.30pm (Sat), 9.30am-5.30pm (Sun); £30 single ride, £25 groups of 5 or more, £70 Zip & Zoom (includes Thames Rockets adventure) (until Sep 15)
Sat: Mini Mode London Kids Fashion Week A/W 19 , St Mary’s London, Wyndham Place, London W1H 1PQ (Marylebone tube)
It’s London Fashion Week and even if you don’t have tickets to the main show, you can snap up a front seat at Mini Mode, the brand new kids edition showcasing designers for the British kids market. Watch mini models work the runway, with a kid’s host, DJ and a selection of children’s entertainment. Co-founder Amanda Raboris using the event as a launchpad to support the Osteopathic Centre for Children, with 5% of ticket sales going to the OCC. All ages welcome. Matinee show 12.30pm-2.30pm & afternoon show 4.30pm-6.30pm; £0-£54.49 (Sep 14)
Sat-Sun: Morning Cartoons: Bino and Fino, part of Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre, Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Settle in for a morning cartoon with loveable brother and sister Bino and Fino as they explore their African city. This fun and popular cartoon series educates kids around the world about family, culture and African tradition, and it’s been translated into 10 different African languages. Screenings this weekend include Yoruba, Twi, Swahili, Hausa and French. All episodes have English subtitles. Ages 3+. 11am in the Clore Ballroom (Sat-Sun), FREE – part of Africa Utopia festival (Sep 14-15)
Sat-Sun: The Golden Hinde Night Voyage (Family Sleepover), at The Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Strett, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube)
Bed down on the popular recreation of Sir Francis Drake’s ship, going back through history to the Elizabethan era. Make like a sailor battling off the Spaniards, before you fall asleep in your naval quarters. Enjoy a Tudor breakfast the next morning. For ages 6-11 (must have adult accompanying), bring own sleeping gear. 5pm (Sat)-9am (Sun); £45 per person, pre-booking essential (Sep 14)
Sun: Underbelly Festival: Basil Brush’s Fun Family Show, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Boom boom. Enjoy a brush with the ‘80s as Britain’s best known fox takes to the stage, tickling audiences with ‘tails’, songs and stories to amuse ages 4+ – and nostalgic grownups. Basil Brush’s Fun Family Show is on Sun Sep 15, 1.15pm & 3.30pm, from £10.25. Also coming up at Underbelly Family Fest: The Lovely Bug Ball for ages 4+ (Sep 21-22, Sat 1.30pm & 3.30pm & Sun 1.30pm, from £10.25). All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts) (until Sep 29)
Sun: Jacksons Lane: The Giant Balloon Show, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Everything you knew about balloons gets turned on its head and blown out of proportion in The Giant Balloon show. This high-energy show has wowed audiences all over, with its crazy balloon sculptures and bouncy sense of humour. Ages 5+. 12pm & 3pm, £9.95 (Sep 15)
Sun: Arts Depot: Roald Dahl and the Wurblegobblers, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Help the Ancient Guild of Tale Tenders save the precious stories of Roald Dahl, that appear to be disappearing not just from books, but from the minds of kids all over the world. This show from Get Los and Found explores popular tales like The BFG and the Twit, while helping develop creative and literacy skills. For ages 6-11. 11am & 2pm, from £9 (Sep 15)
Sun: Keats House Family Day, Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground)
The poet John Keats once wrote: ‘Would be to find where violet beds were nestling, And where the bee with cowslip bells was wrestling.’ Take inspiration from the poet’s words, and the autumn scenery at Keats House, to craft your own hibernation house for bees. All ages welcome. 2pm-4pm; FREE (Sep 15)
London Kids Cinema
The Secret Life of Pets 2 is playing this weekend at Picturehouse Cinemas. Find more family friendly movies at weekend Kids Club screenings (films for under £5) on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
Open House London (Sep 21-22)
Fun DMC: House Special at Pitch Stratford (Sep 28)
Explore Zoology at Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL (Sep 28)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved Kids Disco (Sep 29)
Storystock Presents Goldilocks and Arabian Nights at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 19)
**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!**
19 Awesome Things to do with Kids this Autumn
