London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 6-9, 2021)

Happy Thursday. How’s your day looking? I’ve rounded up 11 wonderful things to do this weekend in London with kids to cheer you up.

In case you haven’t heard (or checked my social media), my first book Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World is now out in North America. My cousin Data ran to Barnes and Noble to get her copy and shared a video clip on Instagram Stories. We both felt emotional, especially as I taught her to read when she was just 3. What a journey.

I have some book giveaways (and more) coming up so make sure you’re signed up to my newsletter and following on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to stay in the loop!

11 Wonderful Things to Do This Weekend in London with Kids

Thu-Sun: Sample Some Stone Soup at Little Angel Theatre (online)
Catch a free virtual performance of this puppet piece, reworking a classic European folktale. Through storytelling, music and ‘crankie theatre’ with scrolling paper scenery, you’ll learn about Elisabeth and her recollection of three travellers who claimed they could make soup from a stone. The 300-year-old legend feels just as relevant today with its themes of community, resilience and generosity. Available online for 1 year; FREE but donations welcome (until Apr 11 2022)

Thu: Cast your Vote in the London Elections, multiple locations
If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it’s the importance of good leadership. Today’s the day Londoners can select our next Mayor of London, as well as candidates for the London Assembly. We’re proudly Labour at Babes HQ so I know who I’ll be voting for. But whatever your choice, get out there and make your vote count. Voting is open until 10pm at your local polling station (May 6)

Thu-Sun: Pay Your Respects at the National COVID Memorial Wall, North Wing, Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 3FT (Westminster tube)
If you’re in the South Bank area this weekend in London, be sure to stop by the National COVID Memorial Wall. Spearheaded by volunteers and the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, it’s a grassroots project that is currently crowdfunding. The wall features 150,000 hearts representing the lives and loves that have been lost to the pandemic. A moving testament right next to St Thomas’ Hospital on the Albert Embankment, opposite Westminster Palace. (ongoing)

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 (featured image at top) 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)

Thu-Sun: Discover The Secret World of Plants at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Kew Gardens is now open for its summer festival, The Secret World of Plants. Through plantscapes, tree domes, pop-up performances and installations, you’ll discover the hidden secrets of the plant world. NB: Glasshouses, buildings and dining options are temporarily closed in line with government guidance and you must book a time slot or no garden entry. 10am-3pm time slots available; adult from £10/child from £4.50/young person 16-24 from £5 (May 1-Sep 19)

Thu-Sun: Reminisce at the Museum of Youth Culture, 3 Carnaby Street, London W1 (Oxford Circus tube)
Remember life before kids? Hazy days and lost weekends. Whole afternoons spent browsing at a record store or just walking the streets, giggling with your mates. The Museum of Youth Culture pop-up gallery and shop captures the styles, the moods and the attitudes of growing up in the last 100 years. Take your children along and laugh/cringe at what you once thought was the height of cool. 11am-6pm (Mon-Sat), 12pm-5pm (Sun); FREE entry (until early Jul)

Thu-Sun: Visit Eataly, 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD (Liverpool Street tube/rail)
Craving a trip to Italy? Take your tastebuds on a gastro adventure at London’s newest Italian supermarket. Eataly is a 42,000 square foot destination boasting food stalls, restaurants, cookery school, retail market and London’s biggest cellar. Bellissimo.  (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Walk The Line (North Greenwich tube/DLR, Stratford tube/rail/DLR)
Bored of strolling around your neighbourhood? Go further afield to experience The Line, London’s first dedicated public art walk. The Line follows the Greenwich Meridian (the starting point of every time zone in the world) and connects three boroughs (Newham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich) between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2. Along its route, you can explore an evolving roster of art installations and events, as well as wildlife and local history. It’s also a good opportunity to hop on the Emirates Air Line Cable Car (kids love it!) and see London from above. (ongoing)

Fri-Sun: Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, Just off Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ (King’s Cross St Pancras)
The Canopy Market at Kings X is back in action. Support local and indie businesses selling cheeses, cakes, fresh produce, craft bear, homewares, jewellery and more. Good vibes in a kid-friendly setting. All ages. Open Fr (11am-7pm), Sat (11am-6pm) and Sun (12pm-6pm); FREE entry (ongoing)

Sun: Rave in Your Kitchen with Big Fish Little Fish
We’re counting down the days until we can go dancing in public again. In the meantime, the original Family Ravers keep throwing it down. Every Sunday since lockdown began, Big Fish Little Fish hosts virtual raves with top DJs streamed to your kitchen/living room/garden etc via Facebook and Twitch. Rave like nobody’s watching. (Sun)

Sun: Celebrate Mother’s Day (again)
So good, we celebrate it twice. Actually Mother’s Day takes place on different days around the world, but many countries celebrate this Sunday including the USA, South Africa, Portugal, Ghana and Germany. As far as I’m concerned, we don’t spend enough time bigging up our mamas and our mama figures. So Sunday is another opportunity to treasure the mothers we are, the mothers we’ve loved and the mothers we’ve lost.

Booking Ahead

Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre (booking from May 10, reopens Sep 16)
Everyone A Maker: Eid Mubarak family crafts at Rich Mix Online (May 16)
Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’ at The National Gallery, Room 1 (May 17-Jun 13)
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Rooms at Tate Modern (May 18-Jun 12)
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)
Hideaway Outdoor Cinema at City, London Honourable Artillery Company (May 20-23)
ABBAMania at Shaftesbury Theatre (from May 21)
Alice: Curioser and Curioser at V&A Museum (opens May 22)
The New Scummy Mummies Show (18+) at Arts Depot (May 27)
The Snail and the Whale at Arts Depot (May 29-Jun 4)
Gods Own Junkyard Takeover at Leadenhall Market (May 26-Jul 31)
Dodge at Somerset House (Jul 15-Aug 22)
Anansi the Spider (Unicorn Theatre production) at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (Jul 7-24)