The last weekend of January is upon us and there’s a lot to do both indoors and out. Explore dazzling lights at Canary Wharf, unlock hieroglyphic codes at British Museum, boogie at a Sunday family disco at The Phoenix, and Sylvia the musical opening at the Old Vic. Wishing you a wonderful London weekend with your kids and family. Stay warm!
11 Ideas for a London Weekend With Your Kids and Family
Thu-Sat: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, Canada Square Park and around Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
It’s another bedazzling season for the popular Canary Wharf illuminations. Walk the area to discover 20 spectacular light installations. Spot a family of giant mammoths at Riverside or a fibre-optic tunnel in Wood Wharf. All ages. 5pm-10pm, FREE (until Jan 28)
Thu-Sun: Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt at the British Museum, at British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube).
Decipher the hidden codes of the Egyptians at this enlightening exhibition. Find out how the discovery of the Rosetta Stone transformed the work of archaeologists and historians and enabled a new understanding of the ancient civilisation. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fris); adult from £16/child under 16 FREE (until Feb 19)
Thu-Sun: The Gunpowder Plot at The Tower Vaults (next to Tower of London), 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, EC3N 4EE (Tower Hill tube)
Travel back to 1605 to unmask the crew behind Britain’s most infamous plot. You’ll become part of the drama thanks to a 360 Layered Reality experience using live theatre and digital technology. 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). 10.30am-9.30pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am-10pm (Fri), 9.30am-10pm (Sat), 10.30am-8pm (Sun); £40-£70/child £10 discount (ongoing)
Thu-Sun: Grandad, Me and Teddy Too at Polka Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
The Adventure Theatre has been transformed into a wonderland of snow, magic carpet rides, and Northern Lights. Meet Mia and her magical Grandad whose stories and games spark up her spirit of adventure. For ages 2-5. Various shows 10am-2pm; adult/child from £14, family £5 discount, babes-in-arms £1 (until Jan 29)
Fri-Sun: Sylvia, The Old Vic, The Cut SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
Learn all about feminist icon Sylvia Pankhurst in this hip hop, funk and soul-inspired take on her story. Featuring original music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde and written and co-produced by Kate Prince (ZooNation), this exciting musical stars Beverley Knight as Emmeline Pankhurst and Sharon Rose in the title role. For ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (select Thus & Sats); from £12-£67.50 (Jan 27-Apr 1)
Sat: Southbank Sinfonia: Musical Zoo Family Workshop at St John’s Smith Square, SW1P 3HA (Westminster/St James Park/Pimlico tube)
Enter a musical zoo with the Southbank Sinfonia and discover a range of families of instruments. You can have a go at playing some and even bring your own. All instruments and ability levels welcome, from beginner bassoonists to pro percussionists. Best for ages 5-11 and their grownups. 11am; adult/child £5 each (Jan 28)
Sat-Sun: Vault Festival: Family Shows, The Vaults, Leake St, London SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
The underground festival at Waterloo returns with another brilliant buffet of programming from cabaret to experimental theatre and everything in between. Vault Festival also has a family programme kicking off this weekend with: Mat Ricardo the Extraordinary Gentleman, a one-man circus for all ages (Jan 28, 8pm); Around the World with Nelly Bly (Jan 28-Feb 5, 3.10pm); CABABABARAVE, a baby show with raving! (Jan 28-Mar 11, 2pm); Science Adventures: The Power Pickle (Jan 28-Feb 12, 2.30pm & 4.15pm). Various ages, times and prices for events – confirm at booking. (Jan 24-Mar 19)
Sat-Sun: Little Red Riding Hood, at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
See a specially commissioned adaptation of the popular fairytale. This version by prize winning author Deborah Jones involves an artsy Granny, a feisty Red, and a mysterious Wolf. For ages 5 + (NB: not suitable for babies or pre-school children). Various shows at 11am, 2pm & 7.30pm; from £5 (until Jan 29)
Sun: How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
The party for indie-loving mamas, papas and their mini hipsters is back for 2023 at The Phoenix. How Does it Feel to be Loved children’s disco features live DJs mixing vintage pop, soul and indie tunes (e.g. Belle & Sebastian, Ramones, Pixies, Otis Redding etc). All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Jan 29)
Sun: Haringey Walk Wheel and Ride, Chestnuts Park, 300 St Ann’s Road, Haringey N15 5RP (Harringay Green Lanes overground/Seven Sisters tube)
Meet local families and join a kid-friendly community walk + wheel + cycle ride from Chestnuts Park cafe, around St Ann’s and West Green. Led by expert volunteers, this family event welcomes children on balance bikes, scooters and stabilisers. It’s a leisurely day out that will include a tour of street art and a cafe stop finale. 11am, FREE but reserving your ticket is recommended (Jan 29)
Sun-Mon: The Fabric of Love, Fitzrovia Chapel, TJ Boulting, 59 Riding House Street, W1W 7EG (Goodge St tube)
Come with your kids to explore storytelling and textile art, inspired by the stories in current exhibition The Ward Revisited, the tradition of quilt-making and the AIDs Memorial Quilt. Families can create fabric squares representing loved ones and then combine them to form a beautiful quilt. Artist Christina Rose Brown leads a hands-on, creative workshop to introduce the themes of the exhibition in an age-appropriate and sensitive way. Best for ages 5+ and their families, event is wheelchair accessible. 10am-11am (Sun) & 4.30pm-5.30pm (Mon); child £3 + booking fee (booking not required for adults or additional kids under 3 years old) (Jan 29-30)
Booking Ahead
- Stepping Into Stories: Kids’ Lit Fest at Herne Hill (Jan 30-Feb 5)
- Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 8-18)
- The Instrumentals at Little Angel Theatre (Feb 10-Apr 16)
- Jack V Giant at Polka Theatre (Feb 11-Mar 26)
- Family Concert: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (Feb 12)
- Shakespeare Family Workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, SE1 (Feb 12-17)
- Family Day at Whitechapel Gallery, E1 (Feb 18)
- Family Festival: Let Sound Inspire You at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 (Feb 18)
- Big Fish Little Fish Circus Family Rave at West Five Bar, Ealing (Feb 26)
- Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, Finchley (Mar 30 & May 25)
- The Rossettis at Tate Britain (Apr 6-Sep 24)
- Mog the Forgetful Cat at The Old Vic (Jul 11-29)
- Zog at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Jul 12-16)
- Disney 100: The Exhibition at ExCel Centre (Autumn 2023)
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**
22 Books I Loved in 2022
