What’s your weekend looking like? The sun’s still out and London is feeling more like its best self. In the Scoop, I’ve listed 14 cool things to do with your kids in London this weekend. Make it a fun one.
14 cool things to do with your kids in London this weekend
Thu: Summer Cycle at Kew, Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London (Kew Bridge rail/overground)
Wheel up for a rare chance to explore Kew on your bike. Families can enjoy a leisurely ride around the gardens, through gorgeous blooms and magical woodlands. Stop for a picnic or pick up some food on site and listen to live music as the sun sets. All ages. Kids ages 4+ must be able to cycle independently. Under 4s welcome on secure carrier seat. 6pm-9.15pm (Thu Jun 10), 6pm-9.30pm (Wed Jun 16), 5pm-8.30pm (Tue Aug 10), 5pm-8.30pm (Wed Aug 11) – NB: last entry typically one hour before closing; adult £20/child £10 (until Aug 11)
Thu-Sun: Monkey Business at Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Get up close with some of our closest cousins at this landmark exhibition. Learn all about how primates evolved and adapted over the ages, from little lemurs to giant gorillas. Get into the heart of forest life with models, film, photos and more than 60 stunning taxidermy specimens. 10am-5.30pm (closed Weds); adult £8/child £4.50/family £18/under 3s FREE (until Jan 2022)
Thu-Sun: Openaire Float In Cinema, 5 Merchant Square, Paddington, W2 1AS (Edgward Rd/Paddington tube)
Who fancies watching a movie on a boat while you eat gourmet pasta and Haagen Daz ice cream? Count us in. The Float-In Cinema is back for summer, a perfect way to enjoy a day out with your bubble. Hop on your very own boat and sail around Little Venice before you moor up to watch big screen movies. This weekend’s picks include Dirty Dancing (12) and book ahead for upcoming screenings like Grease, Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight and Top Gun. (until Jun 27)
Thu-Sun: Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, V&A Museum (Sainsbury Gallery), Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Drop into the world of Alice and friends at this dazzling show, exploring the imagination of Lewis Caroll and artists he influenced (such as The Beatles and Salvador Dali). You can see a wide range of artworks including illustration, film clips, photos, fashion and scripts. 11am-3pm (Thu-Sun, from Aug 6), then 11am-7pm (Thu-Sun, from Aug 27). 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); £20/child under 12 FREE. Pre-booking essential. (until Dec 31)
Thu-Sun: Roof East, Floors 7 and 8, Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1XE (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
If you’ve done a day’s shopping at Westfield or just fancy somewhere cool to hang out in the sunshine, this is your spot. Roof East boasts a mix of food, drinks and games appealing to all ages. Try Sluggers, London’s highest baseball batting cages (over 14s only) or have a go at East London Bowls Club or Birdies crazy golf. Street food is on the menu with Kolkati, Cheeky Burgers or East Side Pizza. Enjoy craft beers and cocktails with friends and accompanied kids are welcome on weekends until 5pm. Dress appropriately as it’s open air. Booking ahead for games essential. 4pm-11pm/adults only (Tue-Fri), 12pm-11pm/kids welcome until 5pm (Sat-Sun & Bank Holidays); FREE entry but prices vary for games (ongoing)
Thu-Sun: Jean Dubuffet: Brutal Beauty at Barbican Centre (Art Gallery), Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
Discover the works of one of modern art’s provocateurs, a huge influence on Basquiat among others. Brutal Beauty showcases Dubuffet’s rebellious take on what was seen as beautiful. See huge colourful canvases and statement pieces that should captivate young and old alike. 10am-7pm (last entry 6pm) apart from Bank Holidays (12pm-7pm) and Jul 8 (10am-6pm, last entry 5pm); adult £18/concs £13/under 14s FREE (until Aug 22)
Thu-Sun: Van Gogh Alive at The East Albert Lawn, Kensington Gardens, SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High Street Kensington/Knightsbridge tube)
The last event I attended in London before the first lockdown was Meet Vincent Van Gogh and it was fantastic. So I highly recommend you check out Van Gogh Alive, the world’s most visited immersive exhibition. Set to a classical soundtrack, you’ll journey with Van Gogh through the Netherlands, Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise. A multi-sensory experience to educate and delight the whole family. And you’ll be right near Diana Princess of Wales playground for burning off steam before or after the event. 10am-8pm (Sun-Thu), 10am-9pm (Fri-Sat); adult from £24/concs £19/child £14/under 5s go FREE but require a ticket (Jun 4-Sep 26)
Thu-Sun: Our Broken Planet: How We Got Here and Ways to Fix It at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Take your mini climate justice warriors along to a free, evolving display at Natural History Museum. Our Broken Planet tells the long and often depressing story of how mankind has transformed the natural world. But it also explores and offers solutions that will inspire you and your kids to action. 10am-5.50pm (last entry 5pm); FREE but must book in advance (ongoing)
Fri & Sun: Aurora Orchestra Far Far Away at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Visit Kings Place for another inviting experience for young kids with the Aurora Orchestra. Meet glimmering jellyfish and frolic with a wonderfully cheeky parrot. Kate Wakeling, poet and Aurora Writer-in-Residence, develops stories inspired by and set to musical arrangements (this week it’s Bartok), so little ones can sing, play and dance along. For ages 0–5 and families. 10.30am, 11.30am & 1pm (Fri), 10am, 11am 12.30pm & 1.30pm (Sun); £9.50-£11.50 + £3 booking fee (Jun 11 & 13)
Fri-Sun: Mudlarks Play Space at Museum of London Docklands, No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL (West India Quay DLR/Canary Wharf tube)
Billed as a children’s gallery, Mudlarks is a godsend for weary parents. Check out the museum’s latest exhibitions including the Haverings Bronze Age mystery and the Krios of Sierra Leone. Before or after, you can take your younglings to Mudlarks, an exploratory play space built for under 8s. Soft play, games and an interactive introduction to the docklands. Bookings open from 10am for the following day (includes entry to the museum); FREE but tickets required (until Sep 5)
Fri-Sun: Silk Road Bazaar at Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross, N1C 4BZ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Wander the Silk Road trading route at Canopy Market as the Silk Road Bazaar sets up in King’s Cross. You’l find Ottoman-inspired silks from Turkey, Pakistani homeware and textiles, Afghan gems, leather accessories from Cairo, calligraphy art, small-batch artisan teas and more. Supported by the Aga Khan Foundation, the bazaar accompanies The Silk Road: A Living Historyopen-air photo exhibition on the Art Benches at Granary Square. Canopy Market is open 11am-7pm (Fri), 11am-6pm (Sat) & 12pm-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (Jun 11-13)
Fri-Sun: Adventure Cinema on Streatham Common, SW16 3BX (Streatham rail/Tooting Bec tube)
It’s a great weekend for some outdoor cinema and Streatham Common is where it’s at. Catch big, family friendly flicks like Grease Sing-Along (Fri 7pm), The Greatest Showman Sing-Along (Sat 1.45pm), The Lion King (Sun 1.45pm) and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sun 6.30pm). For older kids and nostalgic mamas, Pretty Woman is also on the roster (Sat 7pm). Bring your own picnic blankets or camping chairs (VIP deck chairs available to rent). Max 8 people per boat. Adult from £14.50/child under 16 £9.50/under 2s FREE – advanced booking essential (Jun 11-13)
Sat: Geffrye Museum Reopens as Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road (Geffrey St), E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
It’s back, baby. After being closed for renovations and then through lockdowns, the Museum of the Home reopens to the general public. One of our favourite spots when the boys were younger, there’s lots to see and do. Walk through exhibits of how furnishings, rooms and buildings have evolved over time. Explore what home means. Take part in family crafting activities and hang out in the gardens. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); FREE but book ahead for timed ticket (from Jun 12)
Sun: Euro 2020: England V Croatia at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
The somewhat confusingly named Euro 2020 competition is happening in 2021 (pandemic tings) and the first England game kicks off this Sunday. Friendly matches have been marred by booing when players Take the Knee as an anti-racist message. Kick It Out has urged fans to drown out any boos on Sunday with vigorous applause. We’ll be clapping and whooping from wherever we watch it and fingers crossed for a good game. If you’re heading out with the kids, you can book to watch the Euros at Pop Brixton with drinks, street food and a mega screen. England matches are bookable (£25 per 4 guests) otherwise all Euro matches are walk-ins only. England v Croatia match at 2pm (Sun). Some other family friendly screening venues: Boxpark Shoreditch, Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market, The Parcel Yard in King’s Cross, The Mitre in Holland Park and Victoria Tavern on Holloway Rd. (Jun 13)
Booking Ahead
Inua Ellams: An Evening with An Immigrant for ages 14+ at Arts Depot (Jun 15-19)
Baby Show (for ages 6-18 months) at Unicorn Theatre (Jun 15-Jul 4)
The Smartest Giant in Town at Little Angel Theatre (more tickets released Jun 16)
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)
Chaos Karts in Shoreditch (opens Aug 14)
Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre (booking from May 10, reopens Sep 16)
May Half Term 2021: 35 Things To Do with Kids in London
