February closes out with some seriously cool things to do with kids in London this weekend. Family theatre, ice skating, a huge surrealism exhibition, a classic screen musical and a vintage family disco are some of the highlights.
NB: There’s scary stuff happening in the news (again). For those worried about people in Ukraine and seeking to help in some way, you can follow @withukraine and @chooselove on Instagram and this is a useful list of ways to support various Ukrainian organisations.
10 Cool Things to Do with Kids in London This Weekend
Thu-Sat: Canary Wharf Ice Rink, Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR)
LAST CHANCE: If you didn’t make it over Christmas or half term, this is the last weekend you can go skating in the open air at this popular ice rink, before it melts away for the season. Tickets are only available online for the Canary Wharf Ice Rink. Various times between 10am-9.25pm daily; adult £17.95/child £11.95/family £49.50 (until Feb 26)
Thu-Sun: The Gingerbread Man, Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
What would you do if you were born in an oven and the first person you met wanted to dunk you in his tea? The challenging life of the yummy-smelling Gingerbread Man is brought to the stage by Stuff and Nonsense. Live action, puppetry, music, humour and the bravest biscuit in history. Run run, as fast as you can! Ages 3+. 10.30am & 1pm (Wed-Thu), 1pm & 4.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat & Sun); from £10/babe in arms £1 (Feb 23-27)
Thu-Sun: Surrealism Beyond Borders at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Opening in London this weekend, the groundbreaking exhibition promises to rewrite the history of this radical art movement. Based on extensive research undertaken by Tate and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the show spans 60 years and 50 countries taking in areas like Tokyo, Cairo, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Mexico City, Prague and Seoul. See how this dynamic scene sprang up and took root all over the globe at different times and through the eyes of a wide variety of artists and revolutionaries. Tates Kids activities online include a Surrealism quiz and a game to help draw a surreal creature. 10am-6pm; from £18 (concs available/members FREE) – advance booking recommended (Feb 24-Aug 29)
Thu-Sun: Stonehenge at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
One of the world’s most magical and mysterious sites is the centre of attraction at British Museum’s fascinating new exhibition. The World of Stonehenge traces its history from 4000 to 1000 BC and into the present day, giving visitors an up close view of artefacts like the Nebra Sky Disc – our oldest surviving map of the stars. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fris); early bird tickets adult from £23/under 16s FREE. (Feb 17-Jul 17)
Thu-Sun: Caroline Walker: Birth Reflections, Fitzrovia Chapel, TJ Boulting, 59 Riding House Street, W1W 7EG (Goodge St tube)
The Fitzrovia Chapel proudly presents an exhibition of new large-scale paintings by artist Caroline Walker, following her recent residency at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson maternity wing at University College Hospital (UCLH). Known for painting women at work and behind the scenes, this new series features midwives, doctors, cleaners and mothers, inspired by a series of four paintings by Frederick Cayley Robinson ‘The Acts of Mercy’. 11am-6pm (Thu-Sat) & 12pm-5pm (Sun); FREE (until Mar 4)
Fri-Sun: Mum’s The Word at Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden, SM4 5JD (Morden rail)
Get ahead of the pack and make a Mother’s Day gift for mama a whole month early. Morden Hall have opened up their picnic area for a family craft session. Kids (and grownup helpers) can plant their own flower and decorate its pot for a takeaway present for mums, grandmas or that mother figure in your life. 11am-3.30pm; £5 per child (Feb 25-27)
Sat: Barbican Family Film Club: Singing in the Rain at Barbican Cinema 2, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Enjoy a Saturday matinee with the family at this screening of one of Tinseltown’s most glorious musicals. Set at the crossover from silent movies to talkies, leading man Don (Gene Kelly) and his best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) join forces with rising star Cathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds) to outwit Don’s devious co-star Lina Lamont. Bursting with great songs, amazing dance sequences and that classic choreography under a downpour, it’s wonderful entertainment for all ages. Come early (10am-11am) for a free movement workshop hosted by Monica Rivas in the Cinema 2 & 3 foyer (limited spaces). All ages. 11am; adult £3.50/child £2.50 (Feb 26)
Sat: Greenwich Market Pancake Day Race, Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, SE10 9HZ (Greenwich Rail/Cutty Sark DLR)
Shrove Tuesday is coming up and you can get in the fun early at Greenwich Market. Join the Flippin’ Good Pancake races – as a team, with friends or on your tod. There will be pancakes on offer all day and medals to win. All who dress up and enter will get a free pancake to eat! Fancy dress optional, donations go to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. From 10am; FREE (Feb 26 & Mar 1)
Sat-Sun: London Comic Con Spring, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX (Kensington Olympia tube)
Costumes at the ready — the biggest convention for superheroes, sci fi lovers and comic book devotees is back in London. Get suited and booted and hang out with fellow comic geeks in areas like the Cosplay Zone. There’s a chance to meet famous faces from Dr Who, Game of Thrones and more. 9am-6pm; adult £16-£18/ child £10-£12/family £45-£50/under 4s FREE (Feb 26-27)
Sun: How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
The swinging family disco for soul and indie loving parents and their mini mes returns to The Phoenix. How Does it Feel to be Loved children’s disco spins vintage tunes for the whole crew (Belle & Sebastian, Ramones, Supremes etc). All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Feb 27)
We also like
It’s the opening weekend for Ikea in Hammersmith, come for lagom treats and meatballs… mmm! (Thu-Sun); get brilliant discounts to top West End and local productions in London Theatre Week (until Mar 6); this Saturday is Cineworld Day, with tickets just £3 for all films, all day at all Cineworld cinemas nationwide (Sat); don’t miss the last weekend for the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station (until Sun);
BOOKING AHEAD
World Book Day Live with Matilda & Friends (livestream), Cambridge Theatre (from Feb 28-May 28)
Disco Loco Easy Rollerz (Wednesday soft play disco for under 5s) at Kings Crescent Estate, Hackney (Mar 2-Jun 1)
Mwalimu Express: Family Club at Rich Mix, Shoreditch (Mar 6)
To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (from Mar 10)
Wild (for ages 2-6) at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 11-Apr 17)
SENsory Sailors at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Mar 12/once a month)
Big Fish Little Fish Space Rave at The Goodness, Wood Green (Mar 13)
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Mar 16 & May 26)
Big Fish Little Fish Mother’s Day Family Rave at One Night Records, Bankside SE1 (Mar 27)
Horrible Histories Boat Tours: Terrible Thames (from Apr 2)
Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom at Cassiobury Park, Watford WD17 3EX (Apr 2-18)
Jurassic Encounter at Cassiobury Park, Watford (Apr 2-18)
ISH Dance Collective: Elements of Freestyle at Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Apr 13-23)
Basil Brush’s Family Fun Show at Leicester Square Theatre, WC1 (Apr 23)
John Hegley: Drawings of Dromedaries and Other Creatures at Kings Place, N1 (May 5)
Acting for Others: West End Flea Market at St Paul’s Church, Bedford St, Covent Garden (May 21)
Sootyland at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Devon (opens May 28)
Sun and Sea at The Albany, Deptford SE8 (Jun 23-Jul 10)
**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!**
