London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 5-8, 2022)

May is in full swing and I’ve gathered a bouquet of 12 wonderful things to do for families in London this weekend. Look out for dromedaries and other creatures in King’s Cross, Eid in Trafalgar Square, a Gunpowder Plot in the Tower Vaults and an Emperor strutting his barely there fashion at Polka Theatre (ooh err). The Punch and Judy professors are out on parade in Covent Garden on Sunday too, a London event not to be missed. 

Yesterday (May 4) marked one year since Bringing Up Race came out in North America, so I’m sending a special shout out to my readers in the USA and Canada. Many of you across the pond will be celebrating the Cinco de Mayo and for Londoners, there are a range of Mexican-inspired foodie events including a supper club in King’s Cross and La Piñata festival in Tobacco Dock. Top ideas for Dates with Dads, perhaps? Whatever you get up to this weekend, have a good one.

PS don’t forget to vote in your local elections this Thursday May 5!

12 Cool Things to Do for Families in London this Weekend

Thu: John Hegley: Drawings of Dromedaries and Other Creatures at 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Spend an evening with the popular poet and musician John Hegleyh as he pulls together stories, drawings, poetry and possibly dancing. The titular Dromedaries (first seen via Monsieur Robinet) appear alongside dogs, puffins, a ladybird, a front, a singing camel and half a dragon. Listen to new pieces inspired by John Keats’ letters and don’t forget DH Lawrence’s tortoise. Age guidance: “The show is designed in the main for adults, but may be of interest to the odd nine-year-old.” 7.30pm; from £13.50 (May 5)

Thu-Sun: Backyard Cinema, Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, Wandsworth SW18 1ET (Wandsworth Town rail/East Putney tube)
London’s weather blowing too much hot and cold? Why not escape to Miami Beach or LA Nights via the movies at Backyard Cinema’s latest pop-ups? Board a jet plane to ‘LA’ or sink your toes into the sand at ‘Miami Beach’, while watching the big screen action. The line-up ranges from recent releases to family films (check film ratings for age guidance). Also on the menu: live performances and award-winning food and drink. Various showtimes around 12pm, 4pm & 8pm (LA Nights) and 12.30pm, 4.30pm & 8.30pm (Miami Beach); from £20 (kids/family concessions available)

Thu-Sun: Grease the Musical at Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7AQ (Tottenham Court Rd/Leicester Square/Oxford Circus tube)
Possibly my favourite all-time musical (watched it endlessly since childhood), Grease returns to the London stage. Bad boy Danny and square chick Sandy fall in love against a backdrop of fast cars, leather jackets and unforgettable tunes like Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’ and You’re the One that I Want. Choreographed by the legendary Arlene Phillips. Recommended for ages 7+ (under 5s not admitted). 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), no matinee on May 5; from £15 (May 3-Oct 29)

Thu-Sun: The Gunpowder Plot at The Tower Vaults (next to Tower of London), 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, EC3N 4EE (Tower Hill tube)
London, 1605. The city is at odds and a rebel force is rising. Step back in time for a mission to unmask the figures behind Britain’s most infamous plot. You’ll be thrown into the midst of the action, in a 360 Layered Reality experience, using live theatre and digital technology that transports you along the Thames and towards the Houses of Parliament. Be a part of history… if you dare. For ages 10+, some intense scenes (kids ages 10-15 need to sign a parental consent waiver and must be accompanied by an adult at all times). NB: Dates are selling out fast, so book ASAP if you fancy it! 10.30am-9.30pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am-10pm (Fri), 9.30am-10pm (Sat), 10.30am-8pm (Sun);  (May 6-Sep 4)

Thu-Sun: Football: Designing the Beautiful Game at Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High Street Kensington tube)
I live in a house of football nuts and I’m a Gooner by default, so this exhibition is definitely calling my name. Designed to impress everyone from hardened fans to newbies, it explores the incredible stories and innovation that’s helped build the beautiful game. 10am-5.45pm; adult from £16.80/child (6-15) from £8.25/family from £27/under 6s FREE (until Aug 29)

Thu-Sun: Dopamine Land, 79-85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington SW7 3LD (South Kensington tube)
This sounds intriguing. Enter a multi-sensory land of rooms built to delight your inner child and help you disconnect from everyday life. Experience bubble tea under a sky of bubbles, infinite mirror illusions, an immersive digital forest,  a pillow fighting chamber, or what it’s like to be inside a popcorn machine! All ages welcome. 3pm-7.30pm (Wed-Fri), 11am-7.30pm (Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun); adult £17.50/child (2-12) £13.50/under 2s FREE (until Jul 3)

Thu-Sun: Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Men’s styling and gender expression is in flux and the V&A Museum delves right into this moment. The Art of Menswear exhibition reflects on how masculinity has been suited, booted and picked apart at the seams by designers, tailors and fashionistas through to the modern era. 10am-5.45pm; from £20 

Fri-Sun: The Emperor’s New Clothes at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Welcome to the greatest fake news story ever told. Polka Theatre in association with Hiccup Theatre and Derby Theatre present a ripping yarn about a vain Emperor, his boot-licking advisors and a crowd with a slippery relationship to the facts. You’re all invited to ooh and aah at the Emperor’s most eye-popping outfit in this funny, musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen Classic. Ages 3-8 and families. 4.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); from £10 (Apr 28-May 22)

Sat: Eid in the Square, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, at this 17th annual event in the heart of London. Come for a family friendly day out filled with delicious street food, main stage (hosted by BBC Asian Network presenter Mistah Islah and broadcaster Mehreen Baig) with live music, comedy and some of the best of Muslim art, culture, fashion and history on display. All ages welcome. 12pm-6pm; FREE (May 7)

Sat-Sun: My Fair Lady, London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES (Leicester Square tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
It’s been 21 years since Eliza Doolittle flounced onto the London stage. Now she’s back in the West End for this Tony award-winning adaptation. Amara Okereke (Cosette in Les Miserables) plays the Cockney flower girl in a role made famous by Audrey Hepburn on the silver screen. Also starring Harry Hadden-Patton as Henry Higgins and Stephen K Amos as Alfred P. Doolittle. Recommended for ages 6+. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); £20-£150. At  (May 7-Aug 27)

Sun: Little Grimm Tales at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Imagine if wishes were granted and if magic was actually real (hint: it is!)… Box Tale Soup invites you into the woods with Hansel and Gretel to help elves make shoes, watch a frog turn into a prince and meet a princess who’s a queen of hide and seek. Follow the breadcrumbs to this startling adaptation of Grimms’ fairytales. Puppets, theatre and original music for ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; from £9 (May 8)

Sun: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9ED(Covent Garden tube)
The annual Punch & Judy extravaganza is back in Covent Garden with professors and puppeteers from all over converging at St Paul’s Church garden. It’s a pilgrimage that hearkens back to the first recorded sighting of Mr Punch by none other than Samuel Pepys in May 1662. It all begins with a Grand Procession with brass band, then a Punch-led church service, followed by shows, stalls, workshops, music and maypole dancing. Fun for all ages. 11am-5.30pm; FREE (May 8)

We also like
There’s a huge new exhibition all about climate change at Barbican Centre opening today (Thu); also check out Queer Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum opening this weekend at Granary Square, King’s X (from Thu); watch , India’s first female animated superhero in Priya & the Twirling Wind + AR exhibition, puppet workshop and panel, part of the UK Asian Film Festival at Rich Mix (Sat); we’re all pretty excited about the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (opens Fri); Fulham Palace is hosting their annual Green Meet, a family and eco-friendly day out (Sun)

BOOKING AHEAD

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at Tate Modern (re-opened for booking)
To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (now booking, best availability from Jun 6)
Glisten: A show for Babies at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (May 11-15)
Get Dressed at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 13-Jun 12)
Legally Blonde the Musical at Regents Park Open Air Theatre (May 13-Jul 2)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at West Five Bar, South Ealing (May 15)
Acting for Others: West End Flea Market at St Paul’s Church, Bedford St, Covent Garden (May 21)
Amy Adams in The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s Theatre (May 23-Aug 27)
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, North Finchley (May 26)
Sootyland at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Devon (opens May 28)
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (May 28) 
FUN DMC May Half Term Special at Colours, Hoxton Square (May 29)
Superbloom at Tower of London (Jun 1-Sep 18)
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, nationwide (Jun 2-5)
Giffords Circus at Chiswick House & Gardens (Jun 16-27)
Windrush Day at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Jun 22)
Sun and Sea at The Albany, Deptford SE8 (Jun 23-Jul 10)
Peppa Pig My First Concert: Mozart to Muddy Puddles at London Coliseum (from Jul 24)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage, SE1 (Aug 28)
Dino Snores at Natural History Museum (Oct 1)

**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!**