The Weekend Scoop is here again with the BEST family friendly activities in London. You can celebrate the festival of lights on Sunday at Diwali in the Square, a whole day of stalls and family fun in Trafalgar Square (Sun Oct 9). It’s also Black History Month and my picks this weekend include a Zoo Nation retrospective, Grandad Anansi at Half Moon Theatre and a baby-friendly screening of The Woman King. Have fun!
The BEST Family Friendly Activities in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Zoo Nation: Mixtape, Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
One of our favourite companies whose productions have blown us away many times over, Zoo Nation and director Kate Prince celebrate 20 years of street dance storytelling at this exciting show. Zoo Nation: Mixtape features excerpts from some of their best-loved performances e.g. Some Like it Hip Hop and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Best for ages 5+ (confirm age guidance with theatre). 7.30pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat); from £15 (Oct 5-8)
Thu-Sun: Baby Show at Unicorn Theatre at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Bring your teeniest companion along for this engaging, multi-sensory performance filled with captivating sounds and images. It’s entranced more than 5000 babies at the Unicorn since 2016! Perfect for ages 6 to 18 months Various shows 9.30am/11.30am/1.30pm or 9.45am/11.45am/1.45pm; adult £12/under 18s £10 (Oct 4-30)
Thu-Sun: Science Fiction at the Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
Straddle the fine line between science fact and science fiction at this landmark exhibition. Learn what’s really possible beyond some of the myths involved in the creation of iconic sci-fi characters, gadgets and stories. Best for ages 8+. A10am-6pm (Wed-Sun), 10am-10pm (Fris); £20 (Oct 6-May 4, 2023)
Thu-Sun: Cezanne at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (London Bridge tube/rail, Blackfriars rail)
A groundbreaking exhibition of one of modern art’s early mavericks. From his native Aix-en-Provence to the heart of Paris, Cezanne’s work and influence helped generations of artists tear up the rule book. See this career-spanning show including some of his most famous landscapes, still lifes and paintings of bathers. 10am-4.30pm; £22/concs available (Oct 6-Mar 12)
Fri-Sat: Grandad Anansi at Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR)
Hurry and you might just get tickets for this enchanting co-production from Half Moon and Z-arts. Abi and her Grandad love spinning Anansi folktales as they work and play in the garden. Grandad is as smarty and wily as the Anansi legend, so can he find a clever way to let his granddaughter know he’s leaving for Jamaica? A funny and poignant inter-generational play by award-winning children’s author Elayne Ogbeta. Ages 5-11. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat); £7 (Oct 7-8)
Fri-Sun: Soheila Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel at Barbican Centre, Beech Street, EC2Y 8AE (Barbican tube)
As protests continue across Iran after the cruel and misogynistic killing of Mahsan Amini, explore the work of an Iranian artist and learn more about the country’s history. See Soheila Sakhanvari’s vivid portraits of feminist icons from pre-Revolution Iran, set against backdrops influenced by Islamic geometric art and a soundtrack by Marios Aristopoulos. 11am-7pm daily (6pm Oct 11/12), 12pm-6pm (Bank Holidays); FREE (Oct 7-Feb 26)
Sat: ABBA for Kids at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (Sloane Square tube)
If you change your mind… take a chance on this all-singing, all-dancing show designed for kids and families. Introduce your little ones to the pop classics of ABBA, played with a live symphony orchestra. The performance is led by popular tribute band ABBA Revival and their promising to unleash all the hits, from Dancing Queen to The Winner Takes It All. Ages 7+ and families. 11am & 2.30pm; £20-£32 (Oct 8)
Sat-Sun: My Neighbour Totoro Live at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
This box office breaking production is finally opening at Barbican. The hotly anticipated stage adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli animation features live orchestra and puppets by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Produced by Royal Shakespeare Company with score by composer Joe Hisaishi. For ages 6+. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); £15-£125 (Oct 8-Jan 21)
Sat-Sun: UNIQLO Tate Play: Painterly, Tate Modern (Clore Hub), Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube)
Be inspired by abstract art at Tate and get ‘painterly’ with your whole family in the Clore Studio. Unleash your inner Pollock, squelch, squeeze, splash and explore your creativity. Messy play for everyone (come ready to get mucky). All ages welcome. 10am-3pm (Wed), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun, last entry 5.15pm); FREE (until Oct 19)
Sat & Mon: Parent & Baby Screening: The Woman King at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
The impeccable Viola Davis leads a bold and stunning cast including John Boyega, Sheila Atim, Thuso Mbedu, Adrienne Warren and Lashana Lynch for this epic tale inspired by true life. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood directs the story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. This screening is designed for parents with babies ages 12 months and under and offers relaxed lighting and sound and buggy parking. Up to 4 adults can accompany a baby, adults without infants won’t be admitted. 11.15am (Sat & Mon); £6 (Oct 8 & 11)
Find more Parent and Baby Cinema Screenings in my London baby cinema guide
We also like
Ready for one more immersive art experience? Check out Frameless, opening this weekend in Marble Arch (Sat); bring your mini boffins along for two days of ideas and discoveries at New Scientist Live (Sat-Sun); It’s another weekend of DJs, street food, brilliant stalls and vintage motors at the Classic Car Boot Sale at King’s Cross (Sat-Sun); Black History Walks leads a tour of Black and African inspired art at the National Gallery (Sun); head to Islington’s Business Design Centre for a whole day of girl power at Festival of the Girl (Sun); and don’t forget, you can get cheap eats and more at London Restaurant Festival (throughout Oct)
BOOKING AHEAD
- For Crying Out Loud Parent & Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Oct 14 & Dec 2)
- Baby Gospel at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Oct 16)
- Finding Diwali at National Maritime Museum (Oct 22)
- Family Day: Walk and Draw Tour at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (Oct 23)
- Festival of Fright at KidZania London, W12 (Oct 24-Nov 6)
- Goldilocks and the 3 Bears at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Oct 25-30)
- Untold Stories from Black History at Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford (Oct 27-28)
- Jack Frost and the Search for Winter at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Oct 27-30)
- Halloween Spooky Walks at Lauderdale House, Highgate (Oct 31)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (Nov 4)
- Making Modernism at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (Nov 12-Feb 12)
- Science Fiction Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Nov 12-Mar 24)
- Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Nov 17)
- Matilda the Musical, UK cinema release (Nov 25)
- 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 29-October 2, 2022)
