London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 23-26, 2022)

My son had his last GCSE today. What a moment. It’s felt like a very long two years (throw in a pandemic and it’s been eons) but he made it through. I’m super proud of him and wishing him nothing but REST this weekend and for the foreseeable future. If you’re heading out this weekend in London with kids, there’s loads happening: whether you’re into making stuff, exploring art works, watching theatre or dancing by the riverside. Don’t let the train strike stop you from getting around — there’s even a special boating offer with teddy bears included. Read on for more and happy weekend!

13 Wonderful Ways to Spend a Weekend in London with Kids

Thu-Sat: Festival of Stuff, Institute of Making, Malet Place, UCL, WC1E 7JE (Euston Square tube/rail)
Take part in a STEM inspired extravaganza. Kids and families can try their hands at everything from casting pewter into a cuttlefish shell to mixing and prodding monster goo aka slime. Hear the sweet sound of a steel drum band while you make your own ferrofluid (magnetic liquid) or have a go at chemical explosions. Finger-knit with reflective wool, pop on a VR headset to discover the Colour Rooms, blow a propane trumpet and more. All ages. 1pm-5pm; FREE (Jun 23-25)

Thu-Sun: Maiden Voyage: JeeYoung Lee at NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavilions, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ (North Greenwich tube/DLR)
Each year, NOW Gallery stages a vibrant and playful exhibition attracting viewers and families from all over. For their 2022 Art Commission, it’s Korean artist JeeYoung Lee who works with travel and nature-themed origami to reinvent the space, inspired by her memories, emotions and dreams of the future. Visitors are invited to write their first memories on origami paper and fold it into a swan to add to the collection (NOW Gallery is donating 10p per swan to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust). All ages welcome. 10am-7pm (Tue-Fri), 10am-5pm (Sat), 11am-4pm (Sun); FREE but advance booking recommended (Jun 23-Sep 25)

Thu-Sun: GoBoat Teddy Bear Picnics, multiple locations
To celebrate National Picnic Week (Jun 18-26) eco-friendly company GoBoat is offering sailing guests 15% booking discounts if your teddy bear accompanies you on the ride. Pack a hamper and hop on the boat for a teddy bear picnic on the water. You can get your discount on the spot (use codeword TEDDY BEAR) or book online, entering code TEDDYBEAR for savings of up to £27. Guests can also get a free captain’s hat for their journey. Various times; 1 hour ride £80.75 (was £95), 2 hours £114.75 (was £135), 3 hours £145.75 (was £175) (until Jun 26) 

Thu-Sun: Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Main Galleries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Climate is the theme of this year’s Summer Exhibition. a joyful and powerful showcase of art in every medium from both household names and emerging talent. Explore these vivid works, pick up something you like and help support the RA’s charitable projects such as training the next generation in Royal Academy Schools. 10am-6pm (Tue-Sun); adult £20-£22/child under 16 and RA members go FREE (Jun 21-Aug 21)

Thu-Sun: Sun and Sea at The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
A crowded beach, burning sun, the squeal of happy kids, an ice cream van in the distance. Half-eaten sandwiches, plastic bags whirling the floating like jellyfish below the waterline. Witness from above as a day at the beach unfolds into a mesmerising and surreal take on climate change and our relationship with the environment. It’s staged on an indoor beach and features dozens of performers bringing the scene to life. Sun & Sea’s all-female creative team won the Golden Lion (the top award) at the 2019 Venice Biennale. All ages welcome. Various shows from 6pm-9pm (Wed-Fri) and from 2pm-5pm (Sat-Sun)£17/under 5s FREE (Jun 23-Jul 10)

Thu-Sun: Sculpture in the City, multiple locations around the City of London
Walk around the Square Mile and enjoy a new perspective on the area as Sculpture in the City returns. This visually striking trail features 20 new sculptures by internationally renowned artists. Follow the map (find it online) or just take it in as you go. All day, FREE (from Jun 22 until 2023)

Thu-Sun: The Art of Rollerskating at Museum of Youth Culture, 5 Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
It’s your last weekend to catch this exhibition at the Museum of Youth Culture. Over five years, award-winning documentary photographer Debby Besford photographed 7 young local female artistic roller-skaters. An intimate glimpse into an often forgotten sport. All ages. 12pm-6pm; FREE (until Jun 26)

Sat: Dance with Little Amal at Southbank Centre, Riverside Terrace, Belvedere Rd SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
There will be dancing until sundown at Southbank Centre for their Refugee Week events. And families can dance along with Amal, the giant puppet that has toured the UK since leaving her home in Syria last year. She’s danced with thousands of kids across the country and she’s here to join the Dance for Refuge. Come and share this joyful ode to hope, resilience and solidarity for refugee children. 4pm; FREE (Jun 25)

Sat: The Great Pyjama Party at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
One for the grown ups. Slip into your jammiest jammies and enjoy a house party at Museum of the Home’s Festival of Sleep opening event. Explore the resident Rooms Through Time re-styled in mythical and magic tradition, sip on dreamy cocktails and boozy hot choc, listen to jazz lullabies, settle in for a bedtime story or groove the night away at a silent disco. Let a dream reader decode your dreams or create a sleepy pillow balm with Liha Beauty. You can also discover Kemi Lawson of The Cornrow’s commissioned installation: My Beautiful Georgian Twisted Fantasy — a  bedroom of dreams for 18th century British West Indian heiress Dido Belle. The event supports Behind the Door, Museum of the Home’s campaign tackling homelessness among women and families in London.  6pm-10pm; adult £10/2 tickets £25/unwaged £10 (Jun 25)

Sat-Sun: West End Live in Trafalgar Square, WC2 (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Fancy a free day at the theatre? This weekend, you can hear tunes from London’s top musicals as West End Live returns to Trafalgar Square. The line-up includes classics like Les Misérables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked and The Lion King as well as new favourites like Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Disney’s Frozen, Back To The Future The Musical and the amazing Hamilton. All you need to do is show up and sing along! All ages welcome. 11am-5pm (Sat) & 12pm-5pm (Sun); FREE  (Jun 25-26)

Sat-Sun: Radiate Windrush Festival, Burgess Park, Albany Rd, SE5 0AL (Bermondsey tube)
Celebrate Windrush Day (held annually on Jun 22) and the Windrush generation’s legacy at this vibrant festival with  Caribbean and Creole food stalls, live performances, natural hair shows, carnival costumes, Sound System village and more. All ages welcome. 12pm-7pm; adult event pass from £15/child age 5-17 from £8/under 5s and elders 70+ go FREE (elders can show Freedom Pass instead of a ticket) (Jun 25-26) 

Sun: The Luna Cinema: Star Wars IV at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre,  Inner Circle, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube) 
The outdoor cinema sensation is back for another season of movies under the skies. See recent hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time To Die, West Side Story and Belfast alongside classic movies and family film faves. London venues include: Chiswick House, Clapham Common, Danson House, Dulwich Park, Kensington Palace, Kenwood House, Lincoln’s Inn (brand new for 2022), Marble Hill, Old Royal Naval College, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Westminster Abbey and Wimbledon Park. Snuggle up on a VIP sofa (£125) or Date Night Double Deckchair (£65). Food and drink on offer include Little Moons mochi ice creams. For the first London screening this Sunday, visit Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to see Star Wars IV: A New Hope (from 7.45pm/£18 & £21.50). All ages welcome – check individual films for age guidance. Various show times; adult tickets from £16/child from £11 (Jun 23-Oct 2)

Sun: The Big Jewish Summer Fete, Highbury Fields, Highbury Cres, N5 1AR (Highbury & Islington tube/overground)
Happening right in the heart of Islington, the Big Jewish Summer Fete is an annual family day of fun for the whole community. Try out North London’s best rugelach, contemplate some of Judaism’s most mind-bending questions, hear live klezmer, do arts and crafts, or test your Jewish knowledge in the Jewish Escape Room. 1pm-5pm; FREE (Jun 26)

We also like
Hop on a vintage funfair ride at Carters Steam Fair in Priory Park, Hornsey (Fri-Sun); sing along to The Greatest Showman at Prince Charles Cinema’s family friendly matinee (Sun); pop down to Brick Lane market and try our old mate The Rib Man’s brand new hot sauce collab with wine label 19 crimes (Sun); hear hundreds of performers singing for their lives in a rousing concert for Refugee Week at Union Chapel in Islington (Sun)

BOOKING AHEAD

Pub in the Park, various locations (Jun 24-Sep 18)
Big Beat Playground: Summer Sizzler festival at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Jul 9)
International Busking Day at Wembley Park (Jul 16)
To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (best availability from Jul 18)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Gillian Lynne Theatre (Jul 18-Jan 8)
Hyper Japan Festival at Evolution London (Jul 22-24)
Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave at Horniman Gardens (Jul 24)
Family Studio: Have Your Voice Heard at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (Jul 24)
Peppa Pig My First Concert: Mozart to Muddy Puddles at London Coliseum (from Jul 24)
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (Jul 30 & Aug 6) 
Backyard Cinema: Romeo and Juliet at Union Chapel, N1 (Aug 19-28)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage, SE1 (Aug 28)
The Luna Cinema presents Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens (Aug 31-Sep 4)
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!**