The clocks go forward this Sunday which means one less hour in bed but at least we can welcome more daylight. I hesitate to say it’s starting to feel springlike but the Easter bunnies are already popping up around town. Check out my Family friendly London Weekend Guide for what’s happening in and around the city. Happy weekend!
Babes About Town Weekend Scoop: The Family friendly London Weekend Guide
Thu-Sat: Super Power Panto at Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9 8GL (Brixton tube)
Flying off the pages of a giant tactile comic book set, this action-packed panto invites you to help save the day. Join Extant, the UK’s leading theatre company of visually impaired performers, and panto touring company Simply Smiley on an inclusive, interactive show to help everybody find their super powers. For visually impaired audience members, there’s a 1 hour touch tour to explore the sets, props and costumes before the show (10am & 5.30pm) and agree Super Power Panto workshop ahead of the performance. Best for ages 3 to 13. 6.30pm (Thu), 11am & 6.30pm (Fri); from adult £10/child £5 – hurry, tickets going fast! (Mar 23-24)
Thu-Sun: Ideal Home Show at Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX (Kensington Olympia rail/overground, West Brompton tube)
Find out what’s the latest in home design, garden gear and kitchen gadgets at this popular annual showcase. Explore technological advancements and inspiring interiors and meet some of your favourite experts and influences from the industry. 10am-5pm daily; adult £14-£16 adv/£20-£22 door/child under 16 FREE but require ticket (until Apr 2)
Thu-Sun: Peter Rabbit Easter Adventure, from Chestnut Bakery, London, 24 Floral Street. WC2E 9DS (Covent Garden tube)
Hop to Covent Garden to join Peter, Beatrix and friends on an Easter quest around the market stalls and streets of old Covent Garden. Help rescue Jemima Puddle-Duck from the clutches of Mr McGregor in this 50 minute theatrical adventure filled with fresh produce, secret notes, maps, clues and surprise encounters. You can complete the activity with a cuddle and souvenir photo with Peter Rabbit (costs £10 extra); or learn to drive a miniROVER at Mr. McGregor’s obstacle course (£10 extra weekdays/£12 weekends and bank holiday). All ages welcome, best for ages 4-9. 10am-3.30pm (Fri-Sun and Bank Holidays), 10am-3.10pm (Tue-Thu); from £6-£27.50 (Mar 22-Apr 16)
Thu-Sun: Africa Fashion at the V&A Museum (Gallery 40), Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
There’s still time to visit this sweeping exhibition of mid-20th century to contemporary African fashion. The exhibition includes photos and textiles, visual arts and music, showcasing the influence of everything from Dutch Wax to Afrobeats. 10am-5.45pm (Sat-Thu), 10am-10pm (Fri); £16/concs for under 25s (until Apr 16, 2023)
Thu-Sun: Disability and the Home: Toys and Games at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
LAST CHANCE: Head to the Museum of the Home to see this exhibition of toys that show why representation matters. Curated from the collection of Dr Paul Darke, an acclaimed artist, creative thinker and wheelchair user, this display explores what it’s like to be excluded, how our attitudes towards disability have shifted over generations and what it does for a child’s self-esteem to see a version of their experience reflected in toys and media. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); FREE (until Mar 26)
Thu-Sun: Back In Time Exhibition: A Tribute to Back to the Future, Camden Market Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH (Camden Rd overground/Camden Town tube)
Hoverboards at the ready. Experience the ins and outs of the ‘80s time travelling classic through this one-of-a-kind exhibition. See items like the DeLorean Time Machine and Marty McFly’s red jacket and Nike shoes. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (weekdays), 10am-7pm (Sat-Sun); adult and ages 13+ £20/child age 4-12 £16 /under 4s FREE (ongoing)
Fri: Knit & Natter at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Whether you want to learn to knit, crochet or cross stitch or you’re already a dab hand, feel free to join this group of knitters and natterers at a Friday hour-long session. Open to people of all skills, it offers a chance to meet fellow hobbyists and swap tips. 11am-12pm (Fris); FREE (until Jul 28)
Fri-Sat: Insurrection: A Work in Progress at Royal Opera House, Bow Street, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
One for older kids (best for Year 9 and upwards) and grownups. This work explores the history of slavery and resistance in Barbados and across the Caribbean, drawing on baritone Peter Brathwaite’s own story. Inspired by the radical folk traditions of enslaved Black workers, it celebrates the human need to gather, move, make music and tell stories in response to oppression. For ages 14+. 7pm (Fri) & 5pm (Sat); from £15 (until Mar 25)
Sun: How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Time to get back on the dance floor with your brood for another Sunday afternoon mix of classic indie, pop and soul. This swinging children’s disco welcomes a relaxed crowd and DJs spinning tunes from The Pixies, The Supremes, the Ramones 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) (Mar 26)
Mon: Parent & Baby Screening: Rye Lane (15) at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Don’t miss what’s described as a ‘charming rom com’ about a pair of 20somethings who meet in South East London. Both recovering from breakups, they wander Peckham together to escape and over the course of the day, rediscover the possibilities of romance. This screening comes with a pre-recorded Q&A with debut director Raine Allen-Miller. 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
For older viewers, rave reviews are coming in for Sleepova (for ages 14+) at Bush Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush (Mar 23-Apr 8); and the critically acclaimed For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets too Heavy is on a limited run at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, recommended for ages 15+ (from Sat May 25-May 7); there are new tickets on sale for Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Rooms at Tate Modern from TODAY (booking until Apr 2024) and priority booking opens this Sunday for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre (booking from Mar 26); also on Sunday, look out for Where’s Wally at the fun run in Battersea Park; or join 250,000 spectators on the river banks to watch Oxford and Cambridge slug it out in the Boat Race (Mar 26).
Booking Ahead
- For Crying Out Loud! Parent and Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Mar 30)
- Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, Finchley (Mar 30 & May 25)
- Mother Art Prize at Zabludowicz Collection, NW5 (Mar 30-Jun 25)
- Dreamland Margate amusement park reopens (Apr 1)
- Let’s Build at Polka’s Adventure Theatre, South Wimbledon (Apr 1-May 21)
- The Rossettis at Tate Britain (Apr 6-Sep 24)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Apr 14)
- Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros at Southwark Cathedral (Apr 15)
- Star Wars: The Fans Strike Back on 81 Old Brompton Rd, SW7 (from Apr 19)
- Harvey Parker Trust: Love In Mind Concert at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Apr 30)
- Bleak Expectations at Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus W1 (May 3-Sep 3)
- The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Jun 1-Dec 31)
- Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Wandsworth (Jun 9-25)
- Mog the Forgetful Cat at The Old Vic (Jul 11-29)
- Zog at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Jul 12-16)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 15)
- Disney 100: The Exhibition at ExCel Centre (Autumn 2023)
- Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre (late 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!**
