It’s a big weekend for England as the national team faces off against Ukraine on Saturday. If the footie doesn’t float your boat, the London Kids Weekend Scoop contains a host of other family friendly activities around town. Don’t forget you can now book tickets for Kids Week and get half-price tickets to some West End shows throughout August. Have a great weekend and Happy 4th of July to all American readers!
12 Wonderful Things to do for Kids and Families this Weekend
Thu-Sun: Summer Love, Canalside Steps, Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Everyman Cinema’s free outdoor film festival is back at Granary Square. Sit on the steps by the canal and watch a brilliant line-up of blockbuster movies, cult favourites, family films, Wimbledon and Tour de France. There are screenings through the day and evening and there are no tickets, but audience numbers will be limited for safety so get there early. Or use the King’s Cross app to bag front row seats. This weekend you can catch the tennis during the day time, and films at 5pm & 7.30pm such as Grease, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Goonies, Hook, Jurassic Park and Mean Girls. Check the full programme. 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7.30pm; FREE (Jul 1-25)
Thu-Sun: Summer Screens, Canada Square Park & Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, E14 (Canary Wharf DLR/tube)
Another big screen bonanza for outdoor sport as well as movies, children’s programmes, news, documentaries and more. Pack a picnic for Canada Square Park and chill out under the skies to watch Wimbledon, the Olympics and more. There’s no Euros on the roster but you can catch the footie at neighbouring bars. This weekend, the Summer Screens will feature the tennis, Rugby Union and cricket. While you’re in the neighbourhood, check out Yinka Ilori’s funky basketball court at Bank Street Park or have a go at Mini Golf in Columbus Courtyard. Summer Screens runs 11am-7pm (times might vary, check ahead); FREE (until Sep 24)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen, multiple locations
Catch all the action on centre court at Summer Love screenings at Granary Square, King’s Cross (linked); Wimbledon on the Roof Terrace at One New Change in EC4 (St Paul’s tube); Wimbledon on the Roof Garden at Cardinal Place in Victoria; Summer in the City at The Scoop, London Bridge City, SE1; Wimbledon in the Square at New Street Square, Chancery Lane. (until Jul 11)
Thu-Sun: KidZania’s Wonderland at KidZania London, Westfield London, Ariel Way, W12 7GQ (Shepherd’s Bush/Wood Lane tube)
Tumble down the rabbit hole into a new adventure at the city built for kids. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this immersive package includes a garden party with the Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit Trail, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and more. Kids can write their own comedy routines, bust out some moves in the Garden Dance, or decorate biscuits fit for a Queen. Finally, relax and watch a pre-recorded performance of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by a West End cast. Each ticket includes 3 hours in KidZania London, entrance to the Wonderland area with six brand new activities, Alice performance and a drink and sweet treat. Timed admission 10am and 11.15am; adult £31/child £45 — NB no kids under 4 are currently admitted to KidZania London, please check the website for Covid terms and conditions (until Aug 29)
Thu-Sun: Giffords Circus: The Hooley at Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
The celebrated circus is back with The Hooley, produced by co-founder Nell Gifford’s niece, Lil Rice. Experience dance, comedy, music and horses in a white tent surrounded by handmade burgundy and gold showman’s wagons. Giffords Circus is a magical village green circus that tours England throughout summer and is loved by locals, rock stars and royalty. Various shows and times from 11am, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7.30pm (confirm at booking); adult £15/child age 3-14 £10/under 3s FREE (until Jul 11)
Thu-Sun: Quentin Blake: Gifted, at Foundling Museum (Russell Square tube)
See illustrator Quentin Blake’s new 24 large-scale drawings from two series ‘Children and Dogs’ and ‘Children, Birds and Dogs’ (made specially for Foundling Museum). The images are accompanied by poems by Jackie Kay, Michael Rosen, Yomi Sode, Opefoluwa Sarah Adegbite, 4 Brown Girls Who Write (Roshni Goyate, Sharan Hunjan, Sunnah Khan and Sheena Patel) and Ben Westwood. Kids are invited to write and illustrate their own story chapters, inspired by Blake’s drawings (find details on the website). 10am-5pm; adult £10.50/child FREE (until Sep 26)
Thu-Sun: Wandsworth Arts Fringe, multiple locations and online
Wandsworth Arts Fringe continues with its mix of dance, music, comedy, circus and creative workshops. See more than 130 live and digital events, from the city’s quirkiest museum to a silent disco tour. Lots of family friendly events and free activities happening in pubs, parks, galleries and online. All ages (check individual events for guidance). Various times and prices, booking ahead recommended (until Jul 11)
Fri-Sat: Euro 2020 at Boxpark, various locations in Shoreditch, Wembley and Croydon
Come on England! This weekend sees the Euro 2020 Quarter Finals and we’re rooting for England vs Ukraine. Can Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and the rest of the team create more magic? The England game’s a late kickoff (8pm, Sunday) so you might keep the babes at home but Boxpark’s a good bet for watching with a crowd. Some other family friendly venues: Pop Brixton, Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market, The Parcel Yard in King’s Cross, The Mitre in Holland Park and Victoria Tavern on Holloway Rd. (Jul 2 & 3)
Fri-Sun: The Adventures of Mangolina at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Join Mangolina and a host of colourful friends on a quest to find her wings. There’ll be twirling and singing to the ting, ping, ping of the steel pans in this Carnival-inspired celebration. Written by internationally acclaimed poet Malika Booker, The Adventures of Mangolina is a socially-distanced adventure with set, props and costume design by Victoria Maytom. For ages 0-5 (older siblings welcome). 11am-11.25am; £1.50 in addition to Discover session pass: adult/child £7.50, 1 year olds £2/babies under 1 FREE (Jul 2-Sep 5)
Sat: Drag Queen Story Time, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Popes Lane, W5 4NH (Acton Town tube)
Meet the marvellous Sophie Brain in the drawing room for an entertaining afternoon. Drag Queen Story Time is an inclusive, affirming and interactive event that will keep the whole family enthralled. All ages welcome, best for younger ones. 2pm & 3.30pm; child £5/adult and babies under 2 FREE (Jul 3)
Sat: Blue Planet III at Oso, Station Road, SW13 0LF (Barnes Bridge rail)
Fans of David Attenborough will enjoy this wild, underwater themed comedy show. It stars ‘two idiots at the BBC’ who are trying to make another Blue Planet, despite never having left the office. Expect wailing whales, swashbuckling swordfish and more silliness in this award-winning show. Why not pair your tickets with a visit to nearby WWT Wetlands Centre? Blue Planet III is recommended for ages 6+. 4.30pm; £15 (Jul 3)
Sun: Shakespeare Sundays: Bard in the Yard at Iris Theatre, St Paul’s Church, Bedford St, Covent Garden, WC2E 9ED (Covent Garden tube)
Maybe you’ve heard that Shakespeare wrote King Lear and Macbeth in plague quarantine. But what you might not know is that he had a lot of help! In Bard in the Yard, William Shakespeare is stuck trying to write a new masterpiece and calls on the audience to help. Choose one of 2 daily performances and be prepared for lots of interaction and plenty of laughs. Part of Iris Theatre’s Summer Festival in St Paul’s Church gardens. Family friendly, best for 10+. 2.30pm (King Leonardo) & 5pm (The Scottish Play); adult from £15/child & concs from £14 (Jul 4 & 18)
BOOKING AHEAD
arts depot’s Togetherfest on Tour at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Jul 3-4)
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)
Young Artist’s Summer Show at Royal Academy, W1 (Jul 13-Aug 8)
Dodge at Somerset House (Jul 15-Aug 22)
London Wonderground at Earls Court (Jul 15-Sep 26)
Summer Season at Shipwright, Deptford (Jul 22-Aug 7)
Uniqlo Tate Play at Tate Modern Festival (Jul 24-Aug 29)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave: First Event Back! at The Goodness, Wood Green (Jul 25)
Fun DMC x Jazzie B (Soul II Soul) at Colours, Hoxton Square (Jul 25)
British Youth Music Theatre Summer Camps for ages 11-17 (Jul 26-31)
Maanika and the Wolf (Polka Theatre) at Centre Court Shopping Centre, Wimbledon (Jul 29-Aug 29)
The Gruffalo Live on Stage at Ally Pally (Jul 30-Aug 29)
Little Angel Theatre: Puppet Picnic at Islington Square (through Aug, tickets on sale soon)
Unicorn Theatre: Congregation, around London Bridge (Aug 11-15)
Chaos Karts in Shoreditch (opens Aug 14)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith (Aug 17-28)
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, multiple locations (Aug 27-Sep 11)
Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre (booking from May 10, reopens Sep 16)
London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 25-27, 2021)
