What a week. Mere hours after I published my last Weekend Scoop, the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death came out. And Britain would never be the same. It’s stirred up a range of emotions for many people and I shared my own feelings of (complicated) sadness. With so many events cancelled as a mark of respect, you might be wondering what to do this weekend aside from joining The Queue. This special Bank Holiday edition of the London Kids Weekend Scoop gives you plenty of options.
Today (Thursday September 15) marks the paperback publication of my children’s book A World for Me and You. Don’t forget that on Saturday, I’ll be reading and signing copies at Ink@84 bookshop. Details in the Weekend Scoop below, hope to see you there!
Have a good weekend x
London Kids Weekend Scoop: Queen’s Funeral Bank Holiday Edition
Thu-Sun: In the Black Fantastic, Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Don’t miss this critically acclaimed exhibition that brings Afrofuturism to the South Bank. Curated by Ekow Eshun, the landmark show features 11 artists from the African Diaspora including Lina Iris Viktor, Chris Ofili, Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, Wangechi Mutu and Rashaad Newsome. Explore photography, video, painting, sculpture and mixed-media installations that blend sci-fi, myth, spirituality and activism with science fiction, spirituality and myth. NB: This show is aimed at ages 16+ but I’ve seen many visit with their younger ones, so take little ones at your own discretion. 11am-7pm (Wed-Sat), 10am-6pm (Sun); £13.50 (until Sep 18)
Thu-Sun: Yinka Ilori at Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington/South Kensington tube)
Feast your eyes on the funky, Afro-centric designs of Yinka Ilori, the king of colourful London pop-ups. This Design Museum showcase and retrospective will showcase 100 objects e.g. artworks, photographs and furniture,textiles, books and personal possessions. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (Sun-Thu), 10am-9pm (Fri-Sat); FREE (Sep 15-Jun 25)
Thu-Sun: Phantom Peak, Canada St, Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7PJ (Canada Water tube/overground)
Escape the hordes in central London and head south east to Phantom Peak. Billed as the world’s first fully immersive open-world experience, it’s a steampunk town packed with 100+ adventures, stories and games. Includes escape rooms and theatre, live gameplay, premium bars and restaurants, on-site waterfall and lake. Fancy dress optional but encouraged. All ages welcome, under 16s must be accompanied. 5pm-10pm (Wed-Sun), 11am-4pm (Sat-Sun); from £34/child under 3 FREE (until Sep 30)
Thu-Mon: The Queen’s Funeral, multiple locations between Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey and Windsor
If you’re in London and planning to pay your respects to the Queen, there’s a lot happening over the next few days. Following a 4 day lying-in-state in the Palace of Westminster at Westminster Hall, the Queen’s state funeral will take place on Monday (Sep 19) at Westminster Abbey. The day starts with Big Ben chiming with a muffled hammer at 9am and the coffin arriving at Westminster Abbey at 11am. After the funeral, there will be a parade to Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner and then the coffin will travel by road to Windsor Castle for her burial. Members of the public can join the crowds at the Mall to see the processions or watch on big screens erected at a number of spaces around town. You can also sign books of condolence at various locations. Get details of how to attend the lying-in-state and learn more about burial proceedings HERE (Sep 15-19)
Check out Google Arts and Culture’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Fri: Let’s Play Together at London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, TW8 0EN (Kew Bridge rail)
Every Friday, this popular museum hosts a stay and play session for kids under 5. It’s led by the Our Barn Community and takes place in the Pump and Grind Café. Refreshments available. Ages 0-5 and carers. 10am to 12pm (Fris, during term time);£3 per family. Regular admission to museum: adult £18 (annual pass); child FREE (Sep 16)
Fri-Sun: Shotengai Market at King’s Cross, Lower Stable Street, Kings Cross, N1C 4LW (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
While most of their events are cancelled at King’s Cross, restaurants, shops and markets remain open this weekend. Why not pop down to this monthly pan-Asian market, where you can sample homewares, fashion and accessories, as well as some super tasty food. All ages welcome. 12pm-7pm (Fri), 11am-6pm (Sat & Sun); FREE entry (SEP 16-18)
Sat: A World for Me and You: Paperback Launch + Ink 84 StoryTime Event, Ink@84, 84 Highbury Park, London N5 2XE (Highbury & Islington tube)
Whoop whoop! The paperback edition of my picture book A World for Me and You is out this weekend! Join me for a special story time reading and signing at delightful Highbury bookshop Ink 84. All ages are welcome and it’s perfect for little ones, so bring your friends and family along to say hello. There’s still time to order your book + tickets HERE. 11am; FREE entry or £6.99 with book purchase (Sep 17)
Sat-Mon: Open House London, multiple locations
This weekend and into next week gives you a final opportunity to go behind some of the city’s most inviting (and mysterious) buildings. Check out the inner workings of major structures like The Shard, BT Tower and more than 100 other venues. There are lots of e.g. kid-friendly tours and designing, building and interactive fun for all ages. From around 10am daily, FREE (Sep 8-21)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Fox & Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ (Ladywell rail)
There’s no rave like a Big Fish Little Fish family rave. If you’re in the mood for dancing, head to Lewisham to hear DJ Mr Switch make his debut, flinging out those jungle/D&B tunes for your little wildlings. The venue has a huge outdoor garden with tent giving last days of summer festival vibes. As always, there’s plenty of side attractions including bubble, balloons, foam, parachute dance, Nifty Natty craft tables and Villa Pia baby chill out cabin. All ages welcome, perfect for 0-8. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child from £9/pre-walking infant FREE (Sep 18)
Sun: Shakespeare’s Royal Company at Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
What’s up Willy? Go on a madcap ride through some of the Bard’s best-known plays in just 1 hour. Katie and Steve from Bindlestick Theatre Company present a furiously fast-paced, slapstick show filled with music, props, silly hats, slow-motion sword-fighting… and maybe a bit of Shakespeare. All ages, best for 5+. 11am & 2pm; from £12 (Sep 18)
BOOKING AHEAD
- FUN DMC Birthday Party at Colours, Hoxton (Sep 25)
- Groove Baby: Grooving with Pirates at arts depot, North Finchley (Sep 25)
- Little Monster at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Sep 25)
- How The Light Gets In Festival at Kenwood House (Oct 1-2)
- Mwalimu Express Sunday Sessions at Rich Mix (Oct 2)
- Baby Show at Unicorn Theatre(Oct 4-30)
- Matilda at BFI London Film Festival (Oct 5 & 6)
- Zoo Nation: Mixtape at Sadler’s Wells (Oct 5-8)
- Cezanne at Tate Modern(Oct 5-Mar 12)
- Science Fiction at the Science Museum (Oct 6-May 4, 2023)
- For Crying Out Loud Parent & Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Oct 14 & Dec 2)
- Finding Diwali at National Maritime Museum (Oct 22)
- Festival of Fright at KidZania London, W12 (Oct 24-Nov 6)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (Nov 4)
- Making Modernism at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (Nov 12-Feb 12)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Gillian Lynne Theatre (until Jan 8)
- To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (ongoing)
**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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 8-11, 2022)
