London Kids Weekend Scoop (May 11-14, 2023)

Have you seen my big announcement? Head to my Instagram to check out the ultra cool cover for my upcoming book Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation. I’ll be sharing more about the book on the blog soon, in the meantime you can preorder copies HERE. Trust me, you need this book if you are parenting boys or if you are a grandparent, uncle or aunt, godparent, teacher, caregiver, coach or you simply want to find out more about how we can promote healthy masculinity for a fairer world. This week’s guide to a London weekend with kids is crammed with family theatre picks, a balloon regatta, a Punch & Judy day out and a free festival in Greenwich. Dive in.

12 Terrific Ideas for a London Weekend With Kids

Thu-Sat: Once On This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2023, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
The popular outdoor theatre reopens for the season with this musical brimming with hope, faith and grief, set against a Caribbean backdrop of sunshine and tropical storms. It’s the story of peasant girl Ti Moune, a boy called Daniel, and a love more powerful than prejudice or death itself. Best for ages 10+, kids under 4 will not be admitted. 8pm (Mon-Sat) & 3pm (Thu-Sat); £25-£65 (May 10-Jun 10)

Thu-Sat: Mrs Doubtfire the Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8DP (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Remember the late Robin Williams in the movie? Who can forget his performance as a desperate dad who transforms himself into a Scottish nanny to stay in his kids’ lives after a messy divorce. The brand new West End comedy musical sees Gabriel Vick stepping into the role of Euphegenia Doubtfire. For ages 6+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £37.50 (May 12-Jan 13)

Thu-Sun: Bleak Expectations at Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1J 9HR (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Catch this Dickens mashup following the misadventures of young Pip Bin across London. Based on the award-winning radio series by Mark Evans, it’s a show filled with plot twists and a special guest star narrator every week. The comedy star lineup includes Sally Phillips, Dermot O’Leary, Julian Clary, Adjoa Andoh, Stephen Fry, Jo Brand, Jack Dee and Nish Kumar. Content warning: prop guns, loud noises, haze and flashes of light. Recommended for ages 10+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £15 (May 3-Sep 3)

Thu-Sun: The Great British Bake Off Musical at Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AU (Leicester Sq tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: There’s still time to catch this musical version of the nation’s most loved TV show. It’s hats on, oven gloves off and a fierce contest to see who can rise to the occasion? Toe-tapping, spoon-licking fun for everyone ages 3+ (under 3s not admitted). 7.30pm (Mon, Wed & Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £17.75 (until May 13)

Sat-Sun: Agrippina at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Ready for another coronation? This one goes desperately wrong thanks to the dark ambitions of Agrippina, the mother of Nerone, who is desperate to place him on the throne. After hearing her husband died in a shipwreck, she’s steering her son into the top seat only to find that things aren’t what they seem and there’s stormy weather ahead. Handel’s satirical opera based on Roman legend is performed by tomorrow’s opera stars with HGOAntiqua Orchestra. Sung in Italian with English subtitles (all ticket holders are eligible to receive a free flip book programme by email). Suitable for ages 12+. 4pm & 7pm; £25-£38 (May 13-21)

Fri-Sun: Dulwich Festival, multiple locations around Dulwich (Herne Hill/West Dulwich/East Dulwich/North Dulwich rail)This annual festival always has lots on for families. This weekend, kids can enjoy a Party in the Park (Fri 6pm), a Wild Teddy Bear’s Picnic (Sat 10am), the Belair Park Picnic Day (Sat 12pm), and the Dulwich Park Fair (Sun 12pm). Explore local street art, browse artisan and food stalls, and look ahead to next weekend’s highlights like the Dulwich Children’s Art Exhibition (Sun May 20) and the Family Creative Workshops + Parade (Sun May 20). Various times from 10.30am; booking ahead advised, many events are FREE (May 12-21)

Sat: Family Film Club: Puss In Boots – The Last Wish (PG) at Barbican Cinema 2, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
He’s a badass cat and he’s back strutting across the big screen with a new cast of characters. See Puss on a quest to recover eight of his nine lives. Along the way, he’ll meet Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Jack Horner and the Big Bad Wolf. Featuring the voice talents of Antonio Banderas, Olivia Colman, Florence Pugh and Ray Winstone. 11am; adult £3.50/child £2.50 (May 13)

Sat-Sun: Nyamakala: An African Story at Theatre Peckham Fringe, 221 Havil Street, SE5 7SB (Denmark Hill overground, Peckham Rye rail)
Come to a Bulu Kuwo, a rite of passage ceremony in Kurukan Fuga, West Africa. Three teenagers will attempt to become griots, the West African storytellers who keep the oral histories of their community. But first they must show that they can handle their nyama — the life force that produces words. This lively production celebrates African history through traditional music, storytelling and an empowering message. Content warnings: themes of war, death and racial discrimination. For ages 12+. Part of Peckham Fringe running until Jun 4. 7pm (Sat) & 4.30pm (Sun); £7.50-£17.50 (May 13-14)

Sun: The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, central London
Keep your eyes to the skies just in case this event takes place. It’s been cancelled in the past few occasions owing to pandemic and bad weather. However, this weekend you can see up to 50 hot air balloons floating over central London. The annual event raises awareness and funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. If the climate’s right, the regatta will launch this weekend or next, or else in July. From 5.30am; FREE (standby dates May 14/May 21 or July 2) 

Sun: Family Yoga at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Enjoy a relaxing and easy to follow yoga session led boy Marie McLeod. These family yoga events are a great way to unwind from the everyday stresses, meet likeminded local parents and kids, and it’s great for children’s concentration and moods too. Suitable for families with children aged 5+. 10.30am; FREE but book ahead (May 14, Jun 11 & Jun 25)

Sun: Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9ED(Covent Garden tube)
The Punch & Judy festival returns to Covent Garden, welcoming Punch professors and popular puppeteers from all over. This annual pilgrimage dates back to Mr Punch’s first official sighting which was said to be by Samuel Pepys in May 1662. The fun kicks off with a Grand Procession with brass band, followed by a Punch-led church service, puppet shows, stalls, workshops, live music and maypole dancing. All ages. 11am-5.30pm; FREE (May 14)

Sun: Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula, 1 Green Place, SE10 0PE (North Greenwich tube)
Let’s hope the weather’s fine for the ninth edition of this family-friendly festival. Come out for pop-up art and acts, visual displays, face painting, tasty street food and more. There are workshops with Black Girl Knit Club, headline sets from Mr Scruff, Zakia and Rhythm Section’s Bradley Zero and sets from top UK DJs. The journey there and back is an adventure in itself for youngsters, with a chance to ride the Dockland Lights Railway driverless trains, the Emirates Airline cable car, and/or a Thames Clipper boat! All ages. 11am-late; FREE (May 14)

Booking Ahead

• Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (tickets on sale from May 13, festival dates Jun 24-25)
• The Offbeat Sari at Design Museum (May 19-Sep 17)
• Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave in Ealing, West London (May 21)
• Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros at Southwark Cathedral (May 25)
• Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, Finchley (May 25)
• Big Fish Little Fish at Alexandra Palace Big Birthday Bash, Ally Pally (May 27)
• Squirrel (for ages 6 months-4 years) at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 27-Jul 2)
• The Everywhere Bear at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (May 27-Aug 13)
• The Invisible Man at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 28-Jun 18)
• Backyard Cinema: Romeo & Juliet at Alexandra Palace (May 30-Jun 4)
• The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Jun 1-Dec 31)
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Jun 2)
• Dennis and Gnasher Unleashed at the Orchestra, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jun 3)
• Saturday Family Film Club in Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf E14 (Jun 3-Aug 19)
• Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Wandsworth (Jun 9-25)
• Dalloway Day, Royal Society of Literature at Somerset House, WC2 (Jun 15)
• Mog the Forgetful Cat at The Old Vic (Jul 11-29)
• Zog at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Jul 12-16)
• Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Horniman Museum (Jul 15)
• Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 15)
• Family Festival: Mark Makers at Dulwich Picture Gallery (Jul 22)
• Theatre on Kew: Alice in Wonderland at Kew Gardens (Jul 22-Aug 28)
• 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!**