London Unlocked: 15 Things to Do with Kids this Weekend and Beyond

How are you feeling about the coming week? Excited? Nervous? From May 17, London is opening up even further. There will be in-house gatherings and restaurants welcoming patrons across the city. Cinema visits and theatre trips and hugging. Lots of hugging. I’m not quite ready to rub up with the masses, however I’m looking forward to exploring more of town and meeting friends I haven’t seen in over a year. In my guide to London Unlocked, I’ve listed 15 things to do with kids this weekend, next week’s highlights and stuff to book ahead. Have a great one and Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating!

London Unlocked: 15 Things to Do with Kids this Weekend and Beyond

Thu: Re:Sound Choir at Polka Theatre (online)
Join a mixed group of vocalists in association with Merton Music Foundation. The intergenerational community choir is an opportunity to meet people, share some tunes and warble to your heart’s content. It’s open to all skill levels (no need for auditions) and the choir features singers ages 5 to 105 (babes in arms and older siblings welcome too). All singers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and sessions will be in person from June 10. Join in every Thursday, 4pm-5pm via Zoom. Contact fran@polkatheatre.com for access details (May 13/Thursdays)

Thu-Sun: Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR (Elephant and Castle tube)
Last week, we featured new Italian superstore Eataly. This week, I’m highlighting one of London’s largest open spaces for eating and hanging out with good vibes and people. Mercato Metropolitano offers an Italian food market as well as an array of delicious food stalls with flavours from around the world. Baby and family friendly and great for adventurous tastebuds. 8am-11am (Mon-Wed), 8am-12am (Thu-Fri), 11am-12am (Sat), 11am-10pm (Sun); FREE entry, no bookings currently just drop-in (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Feast It x Covent Garden, Covent Garden Piazza , WC2E 8RF (Covent Garden tube)
A six week street food residency on the Piazza with stalls from the likes of Smoky Gaucho, Bubble Bros, Hermanos Tacos House, Utter Waffle and Milktree Vegan Gelato. Grab some gastro treats and catch some street theatre with the kids. Daily, FREE entry (until May 16)

Thu-Sun: Draughts: London Board Game Cafe (London Waterloo and Hackney)
Mad about board games but bored of playing them at home? Draughts describes itself as a ‘melting pot of creativity, diversity and healthy competition’. Boasting two London venues, they have more than 1000 unique board games ready for playing. You can eat, drink craft beer, and enjoy a family feud — in line with their Covid safety measures. They’ve also opened a beer garden if you’d rather eat outdoors. Open daily 10am-late (no under 18s without an adult past 9pm); booking ahead essential/£10 deposit for bookings of 2 or more (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Borough Market: Market Explorers (online)
If you’re a fan of Borough Market and their Instagram page, then you might have come across their Market Explorers already. These are digital guides for primary school kids to introduce them to healthy cooking and teach them about the produce found at the market. The booklets trace a specific ingredient from field to fork, offering kid-friendly recipes to try at home. Read online or download FREE (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Drive-In Film Club at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Roll up for drive-in cinema at Ally Pally. Family friendly screenings coming up include: Grease, Cool Runnings, Jumanji: The Next Level, Moana, Up, 50 First Dates and Jurassic Park. Food and drinks available on site (brought to your car by staff on skates or scooters). Various times; £29.50 per car (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, Edmonton, London, N18 3QQ
Enjoy a family movie from your car, with food and refreshments to order and audio broadcast to your FM radio. Screenings include Godzilla vs Kong, Tom & Jerry The Movie, Wonder Woman, Jurassic World, The Greatest Showman and more. Some live events too. Various daily screenings, arrive 45 minutes before showtime; £21.99 per car (until May 31)

Fri-Sun: Southbank Street Food Market, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Crepes, gelato, curry, vegan dishes, BBQ, burgers, soups, smoothies and more in one delicious spot. The popular street food market is back open for the May Bank Holiday weekend. Line up, tuck in and enjoy a yummy outdoor meal by the riverside. 12pm-8pm (Fri), 11am-8pm (Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun & Bank Holiday Mon); FREE entry (reopens Apr 30)

Thu-Sun: Go on An Audio Trip with HELD (online)
If you’re at home this weekend, immerse yourself in a brand new audio streaming experience from BitterSuite. HELD mixes orchestral music with guided storytelling to take you on an intimate, sensory journey of the imagination. Close your eyes and melt into the music. 30 minutes running time. £12 per device (until May 17)

Sun: Everyone A Maker: Eid Mubarak at Rich Mix (online)
Celebrate Eid with the popular Everyone a Maker programme. This month’s session is led by Linda Ouazar of Solidarity Britannia. Through an online film event, families will learn papier mache and painting techniques using simple everyday materials. Create something as a gift for friends and family or to keep at home. Adults should supervise kids during the session. Things you’ll need: tin foil, newspaper, paint, PVA glue, scissors, paintbrush. NB: Solidarity Britannia is also collecting charity donations of toys, gifts and other kids’ items for ages 11+ — drop off at Rich Mix marked ‘Eid Gift’ for the attention of Tracey Barbe. 2pm; FREE (May 16)

NEXT WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

Mon: Tiny Giants at London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
Following on from the old B.U.G.S exhibit this spring, London Zoo hones in on some minuscule beings. Tiny Giants celebrates all things small but mighty, from spineless creatures to colossal squid. Discover the weird and wonderful world of invertebrates with your own tiny giants. Opening hours from 10am-4pm (timed entries, booking ahead essential); adult flexi ticket £34.54/child flexi ticket £24.20/under 3s FREE (cheaper tickets available on specific dates) (opens May 17)

Mon: Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’ at The National Gallery (Room 1), Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross Rd tube)
Become immersed in Jan Gossaert’s painting  in this multimedia experience. Balthasar, the Black king, will share his journey to this familiar Christian scene and a world on the brink of change. Discover the 500-year-old masterpiece as never before, through hi-res digital imagery, spoken word and soundscapes. The room has capacity for 3 to 6 people and the visiting pods can accommodate up to 2 people or 1 adult and 2 small children. 10am-5pm; FREE but booking ahead essential (May 17-Jun 13)

Mon: The Guilty Feminist at Kings Place (online)
I’m a huge fan of The Guilty Feminist podcast, along with countless other listeners (it’s had more than 50 million downloads). It was thrilling to see Deborah Frances-White and guests live at Kings Place before lockdown. She’s back this Monday but the live experience is sold out. However, you can watch the livestream from the comfort of your home. Grownups only. 7.30pm; £8.50 (May 17)

Wed: Polka Theatre Act 1 and Act 2 Clubs (online)
Got a little drama queen or king at home? Sign them up for Polka Theatre’s Wednesday after school Act 1 Club (for ages 4-6) or Act 2 Club (for ages 7-9). The virtual sessions include drama, storytelling and games to unleash their imaginations and get them engaging through movement, props and role play. It’s hosted by professional workshop leaders and runs on Zoom (read up on their safeguarding instructions ahead of the club). Act 1 Club is on Wednesdays at 3.45pm-4.30pm; £15 for next 3 sessions/Act 2 Club is at 4.45pm-5.30pm; £15 for 3 sessions (May 12-26)

Fri: Little Women: The Musical (In-Person and Live Stream) at The Albany Theatre, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
Learn all about the lives and loves of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March, in this musical adaptation of the classic novel. Trinity Laban’s BA3 Musical Theatre final year students perform in two casts over four performances. A heartwarming and at times heartbreaking tale of growing up in Civil War America, brought to you live and on screen. NYC Cast shows on Tue May 18 at 2pm (in person only) and 7pm (in person and live-streamed); Concord Cast shows on Fri May 21 at 2pm (in person only) and 7pm (in-person and live-streamed). Tickets £10 in person/pay what you decide for livestream (May 18 & 21)

Booking Ahead

Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre (booking from May 10, reopens Sep 16)
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Rooms at Tate Modern (May 18-Jun 12)
Khadija Saye: In This Space We Breathe exhibition at British Library (May 18-Oct 7)
The Making of Rodin exhibition at Tate Britain (May 18-Nov 21)
Baby Show (for ages 6-18 months) at Unicorn Theatre (booking from May 18, reopens tbc)
James Barnor: Accra/London – A Retrospective at Serpentine Gallery (May 19-Oct 22)
Hideaway Outdoor Cinema at City, London Honourable Artillery Company (May 20-23)
ABBAMania at Shaftesbury Theatre (from May 21)
Online Family Workshop: Stories Up Ahead at British Library (May 22)
Alice: Curioser and Curioser at V&A Museum (opens May 22)
The New Scummy Mummies Show (18+) at Arts Depot (May 27)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Noisy Kids, Heroes and Villains at Southbank Centre (May 29)
The Snail and the Whale at Arts Depot (May 29-Jun 4)
Gods Own Junkyard Takeover at Leadenhall Market (May 26-Jul 31)
Aidy the Awesome at Arts Depot Online (Jun 5-Jun 6)
Unicorn Theatre presents Marvin’s Binoculars, London primary school tour (Jun 7-Jul 9)
Dodge at Somerset House (Jul 15-Aug 22)
Anansi the Spider (Unicorn Theatre production) at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (Jul 7-24)
Paddington: The Story of a Bear at British Library (Jul 9-Oct 31)