As London finds its feet again after the 10 day national mourning period (did you join The Queue?), I’ve gathered a list of cool things to do with kids this weekend around the capital. There’s art and design exhibitions, bookish fun, children’s theatre, street parties, riverside spectacles, and dancing for all ages. Get out, stay loose, have a good one.
PS: I had such a lovely story time morning reading from A World for Me and You at Ink@84 Bookshop last Saturday. Thanks so much to all who came. The paperback is on sale now and you can get signed copies at Ink@84!
12 Cool Things to Do with Kids this Weekend in London
Thu-Sun: London Design Festival, King’s Cross and other locations
Promoting London as a design capital of the world, this sprawling festival returns for another year (events rescheduled around the Queen’s funeral). Highlights include works by Yinka Ilori, Zaha Hadid, Sou Fujimoto & Tin Drum, as well as Green Grads (at Samsung KX), a platform for recent graduates of UK universities to showcase ideas to heal the planet. Check out what’s happening at King’s Cross, one of the design districts for the festival. Various times and prices; many events are FREE (until Sep 25)
Thu-Sun: Maiden Voyage: JeeYoung Lee at NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavilions, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ (North Greenwich tube/DLR)
LAST CHANCE: Catch the 2022 Art Commission featuring Korean artist JeeYoung Lee and her travel and nature-themed origami. Visitors can write their first memory on origami paper and transform it into a paper swan to add to the collection (10p per swan goes to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust). All ages welcome. 10am-7pm (Tue-Fri), 10am-5pm (Sat), 11am-4pm (Sun); FREE but advance booking recommended (until Sep 25)
Thu-Sun: Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature at Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Originally due to close this weekend, this popular show has been extended until January 2023. So why not take your bunnies along to see the exhibition inspired by the Peter Rabbit creator. Discover more about Potter’s life as a scientist and nature love alongside the places and animals that inspired her works. In collaboration with the National Trust. All ages. 10am-5.45pm (Wed-Sun); from £14 – advanced booking recommended (until Jan 8)
Thu-Sun: Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Tottenham Court Rd tube, Euston tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: There’s still time to explore this bold tribute to 5,000 years of feminine worship and spirituality. See ancient goddesses like Pele, Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, Hindu goddess Kali and gender-transcendent Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. Co-curated by Leyla Hussein, Mary Beard, Elizabeth Day, Rabia Siddique and Deborah Frances-White, the exhibition includes sculptures, sacred objects and art spanning 6 continents. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm (daily), late opening Fris until 8.30pm; adult £12/concs £10.40/under 16s FREE (until Sep 25)
Sat: Totally Thames: Reflections, Westminster (from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge)
The river community are marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III with this dazzling spectacle. See an illuminated flotilla of 150 vessels floating downriver through central London. They will pass under 7 illuminated river bridges, beautifully lit up by artist Leo Villarreal. The flotilla culminates in the raising of Tower Bridge which will be seen bathed in purple light. Part of the ongoing Totally Thames festival, this event will raise up to £20,000 for the RNLI and the construction of a new lifeboat station at Waterloo Bridge. 7pm-8.30pm; FREE (Sep 24)
Sat: North End Road Festival, along North End Rd, SW6 (Fulham Broadway, West Kensington, West Brompton tube)
Come one, come all to the first ever outing for the North End Road Festival. Bring your friends and family along to enjoy traffic-free fun with live bands, DJs, children’s activities, street entertainment, Battle of the Bands competition, 150 stalls, and the popular daily market. You can taste dishes from all over the globe and don’t miss out on sampling local fare from my cousin’s highly rated Nigerian restaurant Pitanga! All ages welcome. 10am-5pm; FREE (Sep 24)
Sat: Mighty-Mega Club at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
The Mighty Mega club is a free club for disabled children and children with SEN along with family and carers. featuring Visiting artists lead engaging workshops in storytelling, photography, music, dance, theatre, animation and other art forms. Take part in a craft activity and free play on all floors and in the garden (10am-10.45am), enjoy a snack (10.45am-11am), then join in with an artist-run workshop (111am-12pm). Sign up via the website for details of more upcoming events and free online activities to try at home. Aimed at ages 5-11 and carers. 10am-12pm (Sats); FREE (Sep 24-Dec 17)
Sat: Festival of Books at British Library, Entrance Hall, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras/Euston tube/rail)
Head to the British Library for a whole day of celebrating stories. Kids and families can join in with making, touching, signing, exploring and sharing the wonder of books and the joy of storytelling. This event is fully accessible for families with D/deaf children, parents and carers and suitable for all ages. 12pm-4pm; FREE (Sep 24)
Sat-Sun: Hallyu! The Korean Wave at Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Remember when the world went gaga for Gangnam Style? Well, Korean culture has been making waves long before and since. From K-Pop to K-Drama, this first of a kind show explores the global impact of the Korean Wave on food, fashion, music, drama, cinema and beauty. 10am-4pm (Mon-Sun) & 10am-8pm (Fri); from £14 – advanced booking recommended (opens Sep 24)
Sun: FUN DMC Birthday Party at Colours, 2-4 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube)
Join the hip hop block party for babies and up, as FUN DMC celebrates their 7th birthday party. There’s live DJs, big radio-friendly hits, dancing contests, graffiti wall, hip hop colouring plus food and drink on offer. All ages welcome. 12pm-3pm; £6.50-£27 + booking fees, 20% discount with promo code (see website). (Sep 25)
Sun: Groove Baby: Grooving with Pirates at Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Adventure awaits at this swashbuckling, treasure-hunting, mermaid-finding and monster-mashing musical show. Get your crew together for an interactive mission across the high seas, a tale of loyalty, friendship and a magic chest. A cross between kid shows and an adult gig, Grooving with Pirates promises a blend of 60s Blue Note soul jazz with pop sounds and electro jungle beats. Ages 3-7 and grownups. 11am & 2pm; from £12 (Sep 25)
Sun: Little Monster at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Is your little one brave enough to meet a monster? How about you? Embark on a mystery with two hapless storytellers, their big boxes of story and their terrible rhymes. You’ll wander into a forest, through deep, dark caves, build walls and knock them down. A show about fear, friendship and difference with puppets, shadow play, live songs and storytelling from the award-winning team behind Twinkle Twinkle. Ages 3-5 and carers. 12pm & 3pm; from £9.95 (Sep 25)
BOOKING AHEAD
- 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)
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Oct 5-16)
- Cezanne at Tate Modern(Oct 5-Mar 12)
- Science Fiction at the Science Museum (Oct 6-May 4, 2023)
- Grandad Anansi at Half Moon Theatre, E1 (Oct 7-8)
- For Crying Out Loud Parent & Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Oct 14 & Dec 2)
- Finding Diwali at National Maritime Museum (Oct 22)
- Family Day: Walk and Draw Tours at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (Oct 23)
- Festival of Fright at KidZania London, W12 (Oct 24-Nov 6)
- Untold Stories from Black History at Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford (Oct 27-28)
- 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: Queen’s Funeral Bank Holiday Edition (September 15-19, 2022)
