Can you believe it’s the last Weekend Scoop before my big summer guide is out next week? That went by fast! I’ve got a busy few days ahead as I’ll be appearing at the Festival of Education at Wellington College tomorrow and speaking on a panel at Waterstones Gower Street next Thursday as well as seeing School Girls: The African Mean Girls. I’ll let you know how it all goes, meanwhile check out what’s on in London for kids and families this weekend.
From Wimbledon screenings to a flamenco festival, there is lots to engage and entrance all ages. Enjoy!
HOT TICKET
Thu Jul 13: at Waterstones, 82 Gower St, WC1E 6EQ (Goodge St tube)
There’s still time to get your ticket for this one-of-a-kind panel event on the topic of BOYS. I’ll be discussing some of the topics raised in my new book, Raising Boys Who Do Better, alongside Kirstie Beaven, editor of the popular magazine Sonshine magazine and Elizabeth Morris who runs Crib Notes, the literary newsletter for mothers. We’ll be covering social media, technology, misogyny, mental health, sex education, power, consent, sports and everything it takes to bring up happy, healthy and conscious boys in the 21st century. Don’t miss out! 6.30-7.30pm; welcome drinks from 6pm; tickets £7 (or £20 with book included)(Jul 13)
What’s On in London for Kids and Families this Weekend
Thu: Rhythm Tap Tales at The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG (Deptford/New Cross overground)
Follow Annette Walker on a journey through the jazz age in celebration of African American bebop hoofer Will Gaines. Annette blends stories of Will’s dancing across UK nightclubs, festivals and TV shows with her own improv moves. The show winds up with a tap jam featuring invited guests. All ages welcome. 7pm; pay what you decide (Jul 6)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
Watch all the tennis action in the company of a crowd at one of these London sites:
Big Screen Tennis at the Piazza in Wimbledon (Jul 3-16)
Wimbledon Live at Hackney Bridge (Jul 3-16)
Wimbledon at Lyric Square, Hammersmith (Jul 3-16)
Wimbledon on Summer of Sport at Vinegar Yard, SE1 (Jul 3-16)
Wimbledon at One New Change, EC4 (Jul 4-8 & Jul 11-15)
Wimbledon Screenings at BST Hyde Park Open House, Hyde Park (until Jul 9)
Summer in the Square at Portman Square Gardens, Baker St (Jul 11-16)
Wimbledon Finals at Hawley Wharf, Camden Market (Jul 14-16)
Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (Jul 14-16)
Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (until Jul 16)
Wimbledon at Eccleston Yards in Belgravia (until Jul 16)
Summer Screens at Canary Wharf (until Jul 16)
Summer by the River at The Scoop, London Bridge City (until Jul 16)
Wimbledon at St Katharine Docks (until Jul 16)
Wimbledon in Covent Garden Piazza (until Jul 16)
Thu-Sun: Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace SW1Y 5AG (Piccadilly Circus tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Bring your young scientists along for this annual STEM event for the whole family. Learn all about some of the latest advances in science and tech, with interactive workshops including drumming to improve brain plasticity, volcano forecasting, micro-surgical robotics using virtual reality and more. There’s also a kid’s zone, child-friendly menu and buggy parking. If you can’t get there live, look out for a curated digital programme available on demand. 10am-4.30pm (Thu), 10am-6pm (Fri-Sun); FREE (Jul 4-9)
Thu-Sun: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
It’s set to be another bloomin’ lovely weekend at the historic palace grounds. Hear expert talks, feast your eyes on floral abundance, watch live demos and pick up gardening tricks. Kids activities include Kingston Forest School, CBBC’s the Skinny Jean Gardener and the Mini Gardeners Club. You can let the little ones loose in The Magic Garden too. 10am-6.30pm (Thu-Sat) & 10am-5,30pm (Sun); from adult £33.85-£48.85 (discounts for RHS members)/up to 2 children under 16 FREE with each paying adult. Booking ahead essential. (Jul 4–9)
Thu-Sun: DIVA at Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
What makes a diva? Who gets to decide? The V&A’s summer blockbuster exhibition pulls out all the stops to showcase some of history’s most unforgettable performers across opera, stage, pop music and film. From Cher to Elton John, Madonna to Aretha Franklin, the show celebrates legendary acts and explores how the role of ‘diva’ has been supported or subverted over time. 10am-5.45pm daily, last entry for exhibition 4.15pm (Fri lates until 10pm, last entry 8.15pm); adult £20/under 26 £13/under 12s FREE (until Apr 7, 2024)
Thu-Sun: Flamenco Festival 2023 at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Clap, stamp, strum, snap. One of my favourite art forms is back in the spotlight at Sadler’s Wells for 10 glorious days. Experience the best of modern flamenco artists with queen of flamenco, Sara Baras, kicking things off this weekend. Also on the lineup are Mercedes de Córdoba, Manuel Liñán alongside El Yiyo, and Alfonso Losa with special guest Carrete de Málaga. Ages 5+ (some shows might not be suitable for kids, check ahead at the box office). Various times/dates/prices (Jul 5-15)
Thu-Sun: A World In Common: Contemporary African Photography at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Blackfriars rail, London Bridge tube/rail)
This is a groundbreaking exhibition bringing together images from some of the most exciting artists and photographers across the Diaspora. It explores how photography film, audio and more have been used to retell the story of Africa through diverse lenses. Themes of identity, spirituality, urbanism and climate change abound across the works of revered names like George Osodi, Zina Saro-Wiwa, Khadija Saye and Sabelo Mlangeni. 10am-4.30pm (daily); adult £17/child £5/under 12s FREE (until Jan 14)
Thu-Sun: Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Canal Side Steps, Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Catch more outdoor screenings against the serene backdrop of Regent’s Canal. Playing this weekend: Disney’s Moana, Cinema Paradiso, Mamma Mia, Dreamgirls, Avatar: The Way of the Water, Singing In The Rain, Casablanca and live tennis from Wimbledon! Enjoy food and drink on site and kids can play in Granary Square’s fountains. Various screenings at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7.30pm. Daily, FREE – just turn up, but do get there early to avoid disappointment! (until Aug 6)
Sat: Michael Morpurgo: A Lifetime with Animals at British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras/Euston tube/rail)
Join one of the UK’s most beloved authors of children’s fiction in conversation with TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson. Michael Morpurgo will be chatting about how animals and the natural world have inspired his best-selling books like War Horse, Born to Run, The Butterfly Lion and Running Wild. For anyone age 6+ who loves listening to stories. 2pm-3.15pm; £6.50-£10 (simultaneous livestream available for ticket holders for 48 hours) (Jul 8)
Sat: Summer in Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ (Battersea Park/Queenstown rail, Battersea Power Station tube)
The fun continues at this free summer season in Battersea Park. This Saturday, kids will love the giant inflatable obstacle course (ages 5 to 15 only, adults not permitted unless with young children). You can also hear live acoustic music, pick up new skills with Putney School of Art and Design, and catch a sea-themed family performance by Calf2Cow. Various timings from 11am-late; FREE (Jul 8)
Sat-Sun: Summer Festival at Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube/Cambridge Heath overground)
This weekend is an excellent time to visit the newly revamped Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood). Discover the large-scale collaborative installation by Leap Then Look (and add your own contribution). Take part in hands-on activities and enjoy performances from hula hoopers The Majorettes, Grand Union Orchestra and Keynote Opera, Soundbox Inclusive Ensemble, IMD Legion and One Youth Dance. Plus shadow puppet workshops and a sustainable design workshop. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm; FREE (Jul 8-9)
Sun: Plot 17: A Hip Hop Garden Block Party at Riverside Terrace (Level 2), Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube/rail)
Come for an eco-themed block party featuring Plot 17, an interactive performance created by spoken word pioneers Apples and Snakes. Between performances, enjoy DJ sets from The SheJay, who has played alongside DJ EZ, DJ Boogie Blind and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Ages 5+. Shows 1pm-1.45pm & 3.15pm-4pm, DJ sets 1.45pm-3.15pm & 4pm-5.30pm; FREE (Jul 9)
Sun: HandleBards: Peter Pan at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD (West Dulwich tube/rail, North Dulwich rail/overground)
Pack a hamper and a blanket or chair for this Slapstick Picnic theatre show of the classic tale. Award winning touring company the HandleBards present a hilarious evening of hapless pirates, feral children, a particularly punctual reptile and of course a boy who can fly. All ages welcome. 1pm-3pm; adult £18/friends £13/child 11-18 £11/under 10s FREE (Jul 9)
Booking Ahead
- 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)
- Whitecross Street Party, EC1 (Jul 15-16)
- Family Festival: Mark Makers at Dulwich Picture Gallery (Jul 22)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Jul 22)
- Islander Festival at Goodluck Hope (Jul 22)
- Theatre on Kew: Alice in Wonderland at Kew Gardens (Jul 22-Aug 28)
- Power Up at Science Museum (Jul 27-Sep 3)
- Circus Camp at Jacksons Lane (Jul 31)
- The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Aug 1-Dec 31)
- Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival, N1 (Aug 6-Sep 3)
- Just Vibez and ZooNation: Hip Hop 50th Birthday Party at Southbank Centre (Aug 12)
- 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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 29-Jul 2, 2023)
