Things are heating up outdoors and I’ve found 12 cool London family activities for the weekend. I’m still buzzing from my book launch last weekend at the beautiful Ink@84 bookshop, where a full house gathered to buy copies of Raising Boys Who Do Better, listen to my short reading and share in the joy of putting another creative work out into the world.
Thank you so much to those who turned up. Check out my Instagram for highlights. My calendar is filling up with lots of exciting activities around the book — scroll down for an event you can book for July. This weekend, there’s country shows, outdoor concerts, open air theatre, family film, an escape room and a daytime clubbing event for all ages. Enjoy!
Hot Ticket
Thu Jul 13: at Waterstones Gower St, 82 Gower St, WC1E 6EQ (Goodge St tube)
Join Uju Asika (yours truly), author of Raising Boys Who Do Better and Kirstie Beaven, editor of the popular Sonshine magazine for a one-of-a-kind panel event on the topic of BOYS. How do we raise boys in the 21st century with all the challenges it presents, from education and mental health, to toxic ideas and social media misogynists? We’ll be exploring all this and more in what’s sure to be a sparky conversation, moderated by Elizabeth Morris who runs Crib Notes, the literary newsletter for mothers. Tickets from £5-£20, book now to avoid disappointment. Get all the details . (July 13)
12 cool London family activities for the weekend
Thu-Sun: School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play, Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/rail/overground)
The Broadway smash-hit finally arrives on the London stage, written by Jocelyn Bio and with Idris Elba as associate producer. Set in 1986 Ghana, this award-winning comedy follows Queen Bee Paulina and her mates who are awaiting the arrival of the Miss Ghana pageant recruiter. However new transfer student Ericka is threatening to shake things up. Who will be crowned beauty queen and at what cost? Monique Touko directs Heather Agyepong, Bola Akeju, Deborah Alli, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers and Jadesola Odunjo. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat); £15-£42 (Jun 8-Jul 15)
Thu-Sun: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
LAST CHANCE: The classic, subversive musical enjoys a 50th anniversary revival with Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as college boy Brad who, along with his girl Janet, gets lost on a dark night. Sing and dance along to hits like Sweet Transvestite and the Time Warp. For ages 12+, PG for adult themes and partial nudity, also NB: strobe lighting, haze and smoke effects. 8pm (Tue-Fri), 4pm & 8.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6.30pm (Sun); from £18 (until Jun 10)
Fri: Zoo Nights at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
This one’s for the grown ups only. Explore London Zoo without your own cubs at these popular annual events. Enjoy fun and games like the giant Hook a Duck, tuck into tasty street food, and learn more about the mysteries of animal nookie in the Birds and Bees tour. Ooh-er. Ages 18+. 6pm-10pm (Fri); £21.50 (Jun 9-Jul 28)
Fri-Sat: Every Leaf a Hallelujah at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2023, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
This sounds magical. Bring your little ones along to this outdoor theatre experience, where all you’ll need is a blanket to perch on and a heart that’s wide open. Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri’s new fairytale, Every Leaf A Hallelujah (adapted by Chinonyerem Odimba), explores the enchanted word of endangered trees. For ages 4+, younger ones admitted but everyone aged 2+ needs a ticket. 11am & 2pm (Fri), 11am (Sat); from £10 (Jun 9-10)
Fri-Sun: The Wolves in the Walls at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Highbury & Islington tube/rail, Angel tube)
What are those noises behind the walls? Lucy can hear them but her family aren’t listening. Until one day the wolves emerge and force Lucy and her clan to the bottom of the garden. But their story’s not over yet. Catch this fun and spooky tale by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean with puppetry, shadow-play and original songs by Adam Pleeth and Carl Grose. Best for ages 6+, younger ones welcome. 1pm & 4.45pm (Fri), 11am, 2pm & 4pm (Sat-Sun), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Mon-Tue); from adult £14/child ages 1-17 £12/Fri 4.45pm shows £8/20% off Father’s Day weekend (Jun 9-Jul 23)
Fri-Sun: Escape from The Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube/rail, Monument/Borough tube)
Enter an escape room like no other on board the reconstructed 16th century galleon. A replica of the ship Sir Francis Drake used to explore the globe in the 1570s, the Golden Hinde is a popular London family attraction. It’s said to be haunted so this experience invites intrepid guests to be locked on the ship with the ghosts and just 60 minutes to escape. Various times from 5pm (Fri) or 1pm (Sat-Sun); tickets from £33/child under 10 FREE (Jun 9-25
Fri-Sun: Wandsworth Arts Fringe, in and around Wandsworth
Get ready for 17 days of non-stop activities, fun and creativity. Launching this weekend, the line-up includes family friendly stuff like Froggy’s Famous Fanclub, the Unicornisaurus musical show, the Little Red Hen puppet show, Happiness Banners and Happy Puffs sculpture making. Various times, dates and prices/many events are FREE (Jun 9-25)
Sat: Saturday Family Film Club in Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
Bring the minis along for a free Saturday matinee screening in the park. Show up early to get the best spot and remember to pack some snacks. This weekend, you can catch the first in the series of the Disney Pixar classic Toy Story, featuring Woody and Buzz Lightyear. 10.30am; FREE (until Aug 19)
Sat: Little London Ballet: Back to the ‘80s at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Fancy some modern ballet with a splash of nostalgia? Come to this lively showcase of the Little London Ballet. They’ll be dancing in a range of styles including jazz, lyrical, tap and musical theatre. All ages welcome. 11.30am, 2.30pm & 6pm; £30/concs £20 (Jun 10)
Sat: The Everywhere Bear, Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Hurry, there are just a few tickets remaining for The Everywhere Bear. This is a sweet tale featuring puppets and music, about a classroom bear who gets whisked away on a big adventure. Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Rebecca Cobb, it’s best for ages 3-7. 1.30pm & 3.30pm; from £14 (May 26-Aug 14)
Sun: FUN DMC at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
The daytime family block party is bringing the funk back to the Elgar Room. With live DJs spinning good time tunes, there’s something for all ages, whether you’re a wallflower or a dance floor destroyer. Additional entertainment includes hip hop colouring, graffiti train and a chance for young mixers to scratch the decks! All ages welcome (0-100). 1pm-3pm; adult from £14/child from £8 (Jun 11)
Sun: Super Chefs at Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St, SE5 7SB (Denmark Hill/Peckham Rye overground)
As the author of a new book on Raising Boys Who Do Better, I love the sound of this new show from Theatre Peckham. Meet 6-year-old Manny who is whipping up his very first guacamole to welcome his papa home. His mum Valeria is a pro chef but Manny’s grandma isn’t keen on having boys in the kitchen. Join in with the singing, dancing and cooking as this Latin American clan questions gender roles and celebrates the joy of food and family. Best for ages 4-8 but all welcome. 11am & 1pm; £7.50 (Jun 11-18)
We also like
This Friday, the River Stage returns to National Theatre for 4 FREE weekends of dance, cabaret, drama and entertainment (Jun 9-Jul 2); at next door Southbank Centre, Christine and the Queens curates this year’s Meltdown Festival with Afrobeats diva Yemi Alade among the lineup; on Saturday, explore the Wonders of the Human Body at the Royal Institution’s fun-packed science show for ages 7+ (Sat); over in Charlton Park, you’ll find Norman Jay MBE on the main stage at kid-friendly festival Together 23 (Sat); there’s more live shows and family shenanigans at Pub in the Park in Dulwich (Fri-Sun) and the annual Lambeth Country Show (Sat-Sun); enjoy a more relaxed time at the Open Gardens Weekend which gives access to London’s more exclusive gardens and green spaces (Sat-Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Dalloway Day, Royal Society of Literature at Somerset House, WC2 (Jun 15)
- LSE Family Festival at London School of Economics (Jun 17)
- ZooNation at Next Generation Festival, Royal Opera House (Jun 17-18)
- Summer of Play: Tish and the Circus Bus at Wembley Park (Jun 18)
- Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (Jun 24-25)
- 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)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Jul 22)
- Theatre on Kew: Alice in Wonderland at Kew Gardens (Jul 22-Aug 28)
- Power Up at Science Museum (Jul 27-Sep 3)
- The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Aug 1-Dec 31)
- Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival, N1 (Aug 6-Sep 3)
- 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!**
Happy Publication Day: Raising Boys Who Do Better
