London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 7-10, 2019)

The Christmas fun is already beginning at a few locations around town and I’m putting together my annual Christmas guide for you lovely folk. In the meantime, check out my guide to cool things to do with kids in London this weekend. And if anyone’s heading to King Alfred Fireworks, we’ll see you there!

12 Cool Things to do with Kids in London this Weekend

Thu-Sat: Zoo Nation: Some Like it Hip Hop at Peacock Theatre, Holborn Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
LAST CHANCE: Get hip to the amazing Zoo Nation’s dance theatre take on Some Like it Hot and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. A toe-tapping blend of street, swing and DJ grooves. For ages 7+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat – apart from Nov 6), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); £18-£55/discounts for under 16s (until Nov 9)

Thu-Sun: Sylvanian Families Christmas Pop-Up Shop at 52 Brewer St, Soho W1F 9TQ (Piccadilly Circus/Oxford Circus tube)
Love Sylvanian Families? Come check out their Christmas Pop Up Shop where you can pick up a limited edition London character, a new Guardian Bear exclusive to the store. There’s a range of interactive fun including a selfie corner, never before seen dioramas and performance area for Sylvanian characters, who will be making special appearances. 10am-8pm (Mon-Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (Oct 19-Jan 5)

 

Thu-Sun: Tutankhamun, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
The Boy Wonder of ancient Egypt does his last world tour, before heading back home to Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum. Take an eye-popping tour around 150+ treasures from King Tut’s tomb, first discovered 100 years ago. Multiple entry times from 10am-4.30pm (check ahead); adult/child ticket range £18-33, under 4s FREE (Nov 2-May 3, 2020)

Sat: King Alfred School Fireworks at The King Alfred School, Manor Wood, 149 North End Road, NW11 7HY (Golders Green tube)
Yummy street food, glow show, live acts, DJ tunes and North London’s snazziest fireworks. It’s an annual tradition for the Big Apple Hot Dogs/Babes about Town crew. Gates 4pm, fireworks 6.45pm-7pm; adult/child £12, Old Alfredian £7, child under 5 FREE (Nov 9)

Sat: Highgate School Fireworks Festival, Highgate Junior School, Cholmeley House, 3 Bishopswood Road, N6 4PL (Archway/Highgate tube)
Bonfire Night will be a thing of the past, but you can still find fireworks fun at Highgate School the following weekend. There’s an early show for little ones, along with food stalls and school band. Early show 4pm-6.30pm, late show 7pm-9.30pm; adult £15/child £10/under 3s FREE (Nov 9)

 

Sat: Lord Mayor’s Show, procession from Mansion House (Bank junction) to the Royal Courts (Strand) and back again (St Pauls/Blackfriars/Mansion House/Bank tube)
There are no longer any fireworks for this popular annual event, but it’s still set to be spectacular. Celebrate the new Lord Mayor of London with a pageant of horses, marching bands, carriages and giant contraptions displaying all the pomp and pageantry of the 804-year old tradition. Two family zones at Paternoster Square and the new Bloomberg building will offer giant games, funfair rides, entertainment stage, craft workshops and street food stalls. Show from 11am (arrive by 10.15am for best views); FREE (Nov 9)

Sat: Explore Zoology at Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square tube)
Delve into this treasure trove of animal specimens, featuring anything from fliers to crawlers. Invite your mini zoologists to get touchy-feely with the artefacts (usually behind glass), and carry out their own investigations. All ages. 1pm-4pm, drop in, FREE (Nov 9)

 

Sat: Stella, Stratford Circus Arts Centre, Theatre Square, London E151BX (Stratford tube/DLR/overground/rail)
You’ve heard about the Man in the Moon, but what if it was a woman up there? A very busy woman keeping track of wishes on stars, tides and shining lights. But on Earth, people are no longer looking up. An enchanting tale using aerial circus, projection and clowning. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; £10/£8 concs & family of 4 or more (Nov 9)

Sun: Magic Carpet Storytelling at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube)
Every Sunday, go on a magic carpet storytelling ride at National Gallery (and once a month, there’s a musical theme). Professional storytellers and early years music facilitators lead interactive sessions, inspired by the paintings in the museum. Aimed at ages 2-5 and carers. 10.30am-11am, 11.30am-12pm & 12.30pm-1pm; FREE – limited spaces, first come first served (Nov 10)

Sun: Family Sundays at Royal Opera House, Bow St, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
At these super popular family events, you can go behind the scenes of the famous opera house, to discover the world of classical music and ballet. Try interactive singing and dance, live make-up or stage combat demos, backstage tours, costume dress-up and design led by set designers. Plus watch mini performances from Royal Ballet dancers, artists and musicians. All ages welcome 11am-3pm; £8-£10 – advanced booking recommended (Sep 29, Oct 27, Nov 10, Dec 8 & Jan 12, 2020)

 

Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Model Behaviour, John Madjeski Fine Rooms, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Get inspired by the groundbreaking Lucian Freud: Self-Portraits exhibition to create your own works of art in the Fine Rooms. First draw a portrait of yourself or a family member then bring it to 3D life with plasticine. All ages welcome. 11am-3pm, FREE (Nov 10)

Sun: Light Up the Night, London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley HA9 0FD (Wembley Park tube)
Bonfire Night is over but you can still see the night alight at this vibrant event marking Diwali as well as the Guy Fawkes festivities. See professional Dhol drumming, Bollywood light entertainers, face painters, DJ and more, before the big fireworks show. Enjoy shopping discounts, firework-themed cocktails and winter menus at surrounding restaurants. 4pm-7pm; FREE (Nov 9)

We also like
Is it too early to talk about Christmas? Heck no. The Spirit of Christmas Fair is already wrapping up this week (ends Sun); Broadgate Circle has opened its Winter Forest; and the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is also up and running from this weekend (opens Fri); over at The O2 you can start your Xmas shopping early in the discount centre, or book to see some of the tennis scene’s biggest stars at the ATP Tour Finals (from Sun Nov 10-Nov 17)

 

London Kids Cinema

The Lion King (2019) is playing at Picturehouse Cinema and Odean Kids Club screenings this weekend. On Sunday, you can catch classic movie Mary Poppins at BFI Southbank.

Find more pocket-friendly Kids Club listings (films for under £5) on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.

Booking Ahead

Skate at Somerset House (Nov 13-Jan 12)
John Agard: Roll over Atlantic at Little Angel Theatre (Nov 13 & 14)
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)
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!**