It’s beginning to feel a lot like… go on, you know you want to sing along. I know Christmas seems to start earlier each year, but how can you not feel a-glow when Skate at Somerset House is open, along with Tower of London and Natural History Museum ice rinks? You can even start your gift shopping at Southbank Christmas Market and my Christmas in London guide will be out next week. Meantime we’ve found 11+ excellent things to do with the kids in London this Weekend, from family theatre to family concerts. Have a good one!
Mama Loves: Something for Grownups
Thu: Northern Brights Festive Workshops at Coal Drops Yard, off Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
These make and take sessions sound perfect for an evening with a mate or two. Turn your hands to some festive crafting (and a welcome drink), led by cool indie brands like Kiosk, Twiin, Tom Dixon and Kitchen Provisions. There’s Festive Wrapping Paper Printing starting this Thursday at Kiosk (Thus Nov 14 & 28, Dec 5); Bauble Marbling at Tom Dixon (Mons Nov 18 & 25, Dec 2 & 9); Cracker Making at Kitchen Provisions (Tues Nov 19 & 26, Dec 3); Piñata Making at Twin (Weds Nov 20 & 27, Dec 4). Enjoy shopping and feasting in the local area and maybe pick up a gift or two. All workshop proceeds are donated to Shelter. 5.30pm-7.30pm (Mon-Thu); minimum £10 donation (Nov 14-Dec 9)
11 Excellent Things to do with the Kids in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Rumpelstiltskin and the Snail of Destiny at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
He’s got a name as long as his beard and he demands a hefty price for his skills. But Polly Buckwheat, the Miller’s daughter, has to spin straw into gold for the King by morning. Can Rumpelstiltskin help and at what cost? Puppets, music and storytelling gold at this twisty take on the Grimm fairytale. Ages 4+. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Thu-Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat); adult £7/child £7 (babies 12 months and under go FREE on carer’s lap) (Nov 14-16)
Thu-Sun: Winter at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival is open again, for another cockle-warming season of family theatre, Winter Market, and fun and games by the riverside. Shop for eats and treats, catch fairytale Rumpelstiltskin with a rock twist, be dazzled by the animal puppetry in Circus 1903, or dance the day away with your babes at the Snow Ball. Multiple dates, times and prices for events; many activities and Winter Market are FREE entry (from Nov 9-Jan 6)
Thu-Sun: Steve McQueen: Year 3: at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico/Vauxhall/Victoria tube)
Everybody say ‘cheese’! In one of the most ambitious series of childhood portraits ever undertaken in the UK, acclaimed artist Steve McQueen invited every Year 3 pupil in London to be photographed by a team of Tate specialists. These class photos feature tens of thousands of kids in state primaries, faith schools, independent schools, pupil referral units, special school and home-educated pupils. It’s a vibrant and poignant look at who we are becoming as a city and the true diversity of London families. All ages. 10am-5pm, FREE (Nov 12-May 3, 2020)
Thu-Sun: Skate at Somerset House at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
The most beautiful ice rink opens in the heart of London once again. Skate at Somerset House is an annual sellout, so grab your tickets from opening weekend. You can glide along the ice against a stunning backdrop, hang out in the evening for DJs and sign up your little ones for Skate School for beginners or the Polar Cub Club for under 8s. Spectators can lounge in Fortnum’s Lodge for hot food and drinks or shop Fortnum’s Christmas arcade. This year, also check out stunning interactive artwork Gaika’s 100 Names of God. Skate sessions last 45 minutes from 10am to 10.45pm (select dates); adult from £11/child under 12 from £8.50/family of 4 10% discount (Nov 13-Jan 12)
Also open this weekend: Tower of London Ice Rink (opens daily from Sat Nov 16 until Jan 5, closed Christmas Day) and Natural History Museum Ice Rink (daily until Jan 12, closed Christmas Day)
Fri-Sun: The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park, Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF (Waterloo to Kew Bridge/Brentford or Syon Lane rail)
Liven up your weekend at this most festive of family trails. Explore the Enchanted Woodland, a hugely popular Christmas illumination spectacle (sells out fast, so hurry!). You’ll get a chance to see the 600-year-old gardens and ornamental lake lit up to majestic effect, including strobes, colourful lights and a dazzling makeover for the Great Conservatory. All ages. 5pm-9pm (Fri-Sun), adult £10-£12/child £5/family from £18-£38/under 2s FREE but require advance ticket (Nov 15-Dec 1)
Sat: Mini Maestro Family Concert: Pachelbel Canon at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ (Charing Cross tube)
Take the kids along for these hugely popular concerts for kids and families, performed by the London Musical Arts Ensemble with conductor John Landor. This week, you and your mini maestros are invited for a beautiful Brandenburg, a chorale to sing, and old-style dances with Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Stick around to meet and greet the musicians. All ages, best for 5+. 4.30pm; adult £10/child £8 (Nov 16)
Sat: Royal Observatory Greenwich presents Morning Stars, at Royal Observatory Greenwich, SE10 8XJ (Cutty Sark DLR)
Spend a morning with the stars at this exclusive event for kids with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), their families and carers. Discover the night sky and find out what’s visible on the night of your visit and the coming month, with a Royal Observatory Astronomer ready to answer all your questions. This event saves 50% on a regular planetarium show, with access to the historic Royal Observatory, an Explainer-led activity and time to explore at your leisure. Carers go free. For ages 5+. 10am-10.45am show, 10.45am onwards visit Royal Observatory; adult £13, child £6.50, carer FREE (Nov 16)
Sat: Tower Bridge Family Activity Days: Clever Cogs, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Climb up Tower Bridge this Saturday for another in a series of Family Activity Days at the London landmark. This weekend, you can learn how cogs work and take part in the ‘Cog Challenge’. Also download the family trail app and take a walk along the glass-bottomed bridge floor! All families get a Family Activity Pass giving you free entry on any family activity day for 6 months. Events are open to all ages, best suited for ages 6 to 10. Activities included in price of Tower Bridge admission. 10.30am-4pm; adult £9/child 5-15 £3.90/under 5s FREE/family £14.10-£22.50 (Nov 16)
Sat: EFG London Jazz Festival presents Nessasaurus at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Watch out, there’s a meteorite coming your way! Be transported back 65 million years, when a meteorite is about to hit Earth, and the family Nessasaurus find themselves trapped in Loch Ness. This entertaining saga is described as a ‘bonkers feast cooked up by music storytellers, jazz-A-nory’. You’ll hear tunes created by kids performed by world-class jazz musicians and after the show, there’s an interactive workshop to explore more music-making magic. Best for ages 5-11 (key stage 1 & 2). 11am & 2pm; adult £8.50/child £6.50/family of 4 £23.50 (Nov 16)
Sun: British Library Relaxed Opening for Families, PACCAR2, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Visit the stunning British Library for an autism-friendly Sunday morning. Come with any kids who are on the autism spectrum or have other sensory needs and enjoy the library without the madding crowd. There’s a dedicated sensory room, hands-on workshop in the Learning Centre, and a chance to explore the exhibition, Marvellous and Mischievous: Literature’s Young Rebels (exhibition open until Mar 1, 2020). Best for ages 5-15 and siblings, parents and carers. 9am-11am (museum opens to general public from 11am), FREE entry but advanced booking required (Nov 17)
Sun: Family Day: Regency Pleasure Gardens at Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground, Hampstead/Belsize Park tube)
It’s time for another Family Day event at the celebrated famous Regency villa where John Keats dreamed up some of his most famous poetry. Create a collage inspired by the Regency Pleasure Gardens of 200 years ago. All ages welcome, just turn up. 2pm-4pm, FREE (Nov 17)
London Kids Cinema
The super fantastic Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse is playing at Barbican Cinema’s Family Film Club on Saturday morning (Nov 11am).
Find more pocket-friendly Kids Club listings (films for under £5) on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
Paddington On Ice, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (Nov 21-Jan 5)
Frozen 2, on general release (opens Nov 22 across the UK)
Jazz for Toddlers at Kings Place (Nov 23)
Big Fish Little Fish: 50 Years of the Clangers, Museum of London Docklands (Nov 23)
Jazz for Kids: East Coast Jazz at Royal Albert Hall (Nov 16)
A Christmas Carol at Old Vic Theatre (from Nov 23)
Christmas Under the Canopy at Canopy Market, King’s Cross (Nov 29-Dec 22)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane for ages 12+ at National Theatre (Dec 3-Jan 25)
**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 (November 7-10, 2019)
