Welcome back! It’s our first London Kids Weekend Scoop of 2020 and there’s already a load of fun family activities to get you out and about. We watched Lexicon at Roundhouse which was AWESOME (review soon) and we’re excited about all the amazing things coming to London this year. My 20 Things to do in London 2020 guide will be live very soon. Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend!
If you only See One Thing this Weekend
Thu-SunNoFit State Circus: Lexicon, Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
After sell-out performances across the UK and Europe, this playful circus troupe bring their madcap show Lexicon to Camden’s Roundhouse. NoFit State has created a show that enchants and awes in equal measure, throwing in everything from flame juggling to unicycling to aerial acrobatics, plus live music. Hugely entertaining, our full review will be out soon! 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2pm matinee (Sat) & 4pm (Sun); £15-£55/family of 4 or groups of 4 get £20 discount (until Jan 18)
10 Brilliant ideas for the Weekend in London with Kids
Thu-Sun: Tutankhamun, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
Beg, borrow or steal tickets to see the Boy Wonder of ancient Egypt on his last world tour. After this outing, King Tut will head back home to Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum. Gawp at 150+ treasures from his tomb, first uncovered 100 years ago. Multiple entry times from 10am-4.30pm (check ahead); adult/child ticket range £18-33, under 4s FREE (until May 3, 2020)
Sat: Thumbelina at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
Once upon a time, a girl so tiny that she could ride a dragonfly and float on a lily pad went on an adventure. She meets a frog, mouse, mole and swallow and finds true happiness in a kingdom of flowers. Gentle show played amongst gardening tools with traditional glove, rod and shadow puppets. For ages 2+. 11am & 2pm; adult £7/child £7 (babies 12 months and under go FREE on carer’s lap) (Jan 11)
Sat: Slime Planet: Original Slime Workshop, Arch 494, Rathgar Road, SW9 7EP (Loughborough Junction rail)
Did you know Slime Planet is now open every weekend (excludes Jan 12)? Take your slime fans along for some ooey-gooey fun with slime experts. Kids can make and customise their own slime with mix-ins and scents (e.g. original or glow, glitter or bubblegum). Learn the science of slime, experience its sensory magic, and work together to create the biggest slime ever with GIANT SLIME. Ages 2 and up (adult supervision needed for ages 5 and under). Booking ahead essential: slots at 11am & 1pm most weekends (1pm only Sat Jan 11); child £14.95/adult FREE (Jan 11)
Sat: Creature Creations at Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE (Euston Square tube)
Enter a treasure trove of animal specimens, and create your own work of art. You can take inspiration from the weird and wonderful creatures around you or invent your very own mythical beast. All ages. 1pm-4pm, drop in, FREE (Jan 11)
Sat-Sun: The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Osterley Park and House, Jersey Rd (off Thornbury Rd), Isleworth, London TW7 4RB (Osterley rail)
Visit the historic home and grounds, and enter Judith Kerr’s imagination at the 50th birthday celebration of her classic picture book. Discover how she escaped Germany during Hitler’s reign, walk right into scenes from The Tiger who Came to Tea, and enjoy tiger-themed goodies. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm, free with Osterley Park admission: adult from £10.10/child from £5.05/family from £25.25 (Jan 11-Mar 1)
Sat-Sun: The Three Little Pigs plus Captain Grimey, Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Visit the charming theatre in Little Venice where you’ll encounter some very mischievous little pigs, as well as Captain Grimey, the most miserable one-legged captain on sea. Puppets and festive fun for ages 3+. 11am & 3pm; adult £13, child £9 (Jan 11 & 12)
Sun: Cirque du Soleil: Luzia at Royal Albert Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
The world famous circus returns to Royal Albert Hall with another stunning production. Set in Mexico, Luzia draws on light and water for its inspiration, with a whole range of acrobatics, trapeze, clowning, and surrealism all pulled together in Cirque’s intricate, showstopping style. Babes in arms free on parent’s lap, kids aged 3+ must have own seats. From £40.20 to £255.50 for premium with dining (child discounts available); 11am, 3pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm, 8pm (Jan 12-Mar 1)
Sun: Family Sundays at Royal Opera House, Bow St, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
These hugely popular family events (pictured up top) take you behind the scenes of the world famous opera house. Get into singing and dance, live make-up or stage combat , backstage tours, costume, fancy dress and set design. Also catch pop-up shows by Royal Ballet dancers, artists and musicians. All ages welcome 11am-3pm; £8-£10 – advanced booking recommended (Jan 12)
Sun: Comedy Club 4 Kids, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Ho ho ho. No, it’s not Santa, it’s you the audience, cracking up at another Comedy Club 4 Kids special. These engaging shows feature top standups from around the country, performing comedy that’s suitable for children (without sacrificing on actual humour). Ages 6+. 12pm & 2pm; from £9 (Jan 123)
Sun: OAE Tots: The Patient Horse and the Dutiful Donkey, at Southbank Centre (Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall), Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment lead another fun, interactive session for young kids. Lean in and listen as they create a high-brow horse and a common donkey, all through music. Telemann’s noble steed and Don Quichotte’s wild and wacky escapades will have your little ones singing yeee-hawww! Meet the players and instruments in the foyer afterwards. Ages 2-5 and grownups. 10.30am & 12pm; adult £9/child £1 (Jan 12)
We also like: You can still go ice skating until Sunday at Skate at Somerset House, or Natural History Museum Ice Rink and of course at Ally Pally ice rink all year round. Or catch one of the Christmas pantos still running: Snow White at Chickenshed, Southgate (ends Sun), Sleeping Beauty at Greenwich Theatre (ends Sun); or an all-star cast in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at London Palladium (ends Sun)
London Kids Cinema
Family Film Club is back at Barbican Cinema with The Secret Life of Pets 2 screening for just £3!
Find other weekend Kids Club film listings (tickets for under £5) on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
The Water Babies at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice (Jan 15-Feb 23)
Oily Cart: All Wrapped Up at Stratford Circus (Jan 17-18)
The Little Prince adapted by Inua Ellams at Stratford Circus (Jan 17-Feb 1)
Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Jan 19)
Family Studio: Climate Champions at Royal Academy, W1 (Jan 19)
Come Fly With Me: Free Family Activities at Tower Bridge (Jan 19)
Fun DMC 5th Birthday Party at Colours (formerly Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen), N1 (Jan 26)
The Bee in Me at Unicorn Theatre (Jan 31-Mar 1)
Jewish Book Week Family Day at Kings Place (Feb 2)
My 2020 London Hot List is coming soon – stay tuned!
**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!**