London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 21-24, 2023)

We’re in that strange space between late summer and early autumn and I’m hoping for a slightly brighter weekend than the last few days of London rain. No matter the weather, I’m always excited about all the wonderful weekend events for London kids and families. Theatre, street art, gaming, family raving, fashion and more. Check it out!

12 Wonderful Weekend Events for London Kids and Families

Thu-Sat: Red Pitch, Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Rd, W12 8LJ (Shepherd’s Bush Market tube)
Back by popular demand, don’t miss this rerun of Tyrell William’s mega-hit production. Follow football-loving buddies Omz, Bilal and Joey as they play, banter and explore their neighbourhood which is changing by the minute. But what can they do when the local football pitch comes under threat? Best for ages 14+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); from £25 (limited £15) (until Sep 30)

Thu-Sun: Power Up at Science Museum (Basement Gallery, Level -1), Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
Extended after its summer run, the immersive gaming festival allows people of all ages to get involved with 5 decades of gaming history. Play on one of 160+ consoles including Xbox and PlayStation, Atari 2600, Nintendo Switch, VR headsets and gaming classics like Mario Kart, Pac Man and Pong. Ages 5+ (all ages welcome). Daily 10.15-4.30PM; day passes from £10/annual £15/under 4s FREE (until Jan 4)

Thu-Sun:Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, Dock X, Surrey Quays Rd, SE16 2XU (Canada Water tube)
Have you seen old footage of the classic Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman fight known as the Rumble in the Jungle? Now you can live all the action in real time through a theatrical retelling filled with music, dance and memorable moments. All ages welcome. 6.45pm, 7pm & 7.15pm (daily) and 1pm 1.15pm, 1.30pm (weekend matinees); adult £69.50/child under 16 £38.50 (Sep 14-Oct 29)

Thu-Sun: The Tempest (Reimagined For Everyone Aged Six and Over) at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
In a fit of emotion, sorcerer Prospero conjures up a storm to shipwreck his enemies. This sets the scene for a tale filled with romance and revenge, monsters and magic. Watch a 75 minute version of Shakespeare’s play that will enchant younger audiences ages 6-11 and families. Various shows at 10am & 1.15pm (Tue & Thu), 10.30am (Wed), 10.30am (Fri), 11am & 2.30pm (Sat), 11am (Sun); from £18/£23.50 (Sep 19-Oct 15)

Thu-Sun: The Missing Thread at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube/rail)
I’m excited to see work by my old mate and maverick designer Bayode Oduwole (Pokit), as part of this exhibition. Charting the shifting landscape of Black British culture and its huge contribution to the art world, The Missing Thread is a carefully woven and boldly inspirational journey through fashion, design, photography, music and visual art. Curated by the Black Orientated Legacy Development Agency (BOLD), the exhibition explores 4 distinct themes, spanning from the 1970s to the present day. 10am-6pm, last entry 5pm (Tue-Wed, Sat-Sun), 12pm-9pm (Thu-Fri); adult £12/concs £9.50/under 25s £5 (Sep 21-Jan 7)

Thu-Sun: Colors Festival: London’s Most Colourful Street Art Experience, Camden Market Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH (Camden Town tube/Camden Rd overground)
Immersive art is all the rage these days and this exhibition brings street art together with photography, paintings and illustrations for a mesmerising journey through the imagination. Enter a giant exhibition space to see colour-themed rooms bringing diverse art works to life. All ages welcome. 11am-6pm (Mon, Thu & Fri), 10am-7pm (Sat) & 10am-5pm (Sun); from adult £11.50/child 3-12 £6.50/family bundle of 3+ tickets £7.50pp (max 2 adults)/under 2s FREE (Sep 21-Oct 15)

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 (Sep 22-30)

Sat-Sun: How The Light Gets In Festival at Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR (Hampstead tube/overground)
Returning to Hampstead for another year, the world’s largest festival of LIVE music and ideas features pioneering philosophers, iconic political figures, and cutting edge artists. Enjoy a mind-expanding weekend of talks, workshops, music, banquets and family activities. Kids can try creative pottery, diablo sessions and sensory science. The IAI School hosted by leading academics can help pre-uni teens think outside the curriculum. All ages welcome. From 10am; limited day tickets from £94 (Sat) and £68 (Sun)/full festival ticket £148/under 12s FREE (Sep 23-24)

Sun: Perilous Journeys: Reflections on Migration at British Museum (Room 3), Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Catch this riveting display of works by contemporary Nigerian and Mexican artists exploring the impact of human trafficking and unsafe migration. It includes stunning pieces by Enotie Ogbebor, a multi-disciplinary artist from Benin City in Edo State (an area that has recorded high numbers of migrants). View his large-scale paintings, brass sculptures and works that both challenge the looting of old Benin City and celebrate the ancient skills of lost-wax casting. 10am-5pm; FREE (until Sep 24)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish 10th Birthday Party at Fabric, Fabric, 77A Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ (Farringdon tube/rail)
Hurry and nab tickets before they go! It’s time for another big birthday bash at the legendary club space as the BFLF Family Rave brigade celebrates 10 years of bringing parents and their teeny ones to the dancefloor. On the decks, DJ Suddi Raval, ‘I Love Acid’, DJ Luli and HiFi Sean spin club classics for a dose of nostalgia. There’s also face painting, Nifty Natty crafting, giant mural, Villa Pia baby chill out, confetti, bubbles, foam, balloons and the parachute dance finale. All ages, best for 0-8 and families. 2pm-4.30pm; tickets from adult £14/child £10/pre-walking humans FREE (Sep 24)

Sun: FUN DMC at Boxpark Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT (Wembley Park tube)
Hitting the floor again after a summer hiatus, the popular daytime block party for babies and up comes to Wembley. Check DJ Spin Doctor and friends throwing down with radio-friendly hip hop, garage, D&B and old school jams. Take part in dancing contests, graffiti train, hip hop colouring wall plus face painting and food and drink on offer. All ages welcome (adults must be accompanied by a responsible child). 10.30am-1.30pm; adult £4/child £2 (Sep 24)

Sun: Rubbish Romeo and Juliet at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
What happens when three self-professed idiots perform Shakespeare’s most famous romantic tragedy? The Rubbish Shakespeare Company take on Romeo and Juliet with a box of tatty wigs, a flowery dress and an airbed from the rubbish dump. This slapstick show is a fun intro to the Bard for ages 5+. 11am and 2pm; from £10 (Sep 24)

We also like
Learn all about the House of Chanel and its founder as the Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto opens at V&A (from Sep 16); another hugely anticipated exhibition, check out Marina Abramović at Royal Academy (from Sat); Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical, Ben Elton’s biography of one of Britain’s most famous models, opens at Menier Chocolate Factory (from Fri); there’s still time to step inside Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms at Tate Modern (until Sep 30); try out The Keeper of Paintings and the Palette of Perception, a mobile-based immersive adventure from National Gallery for kids ages 7-11 (parental supervision recommended)

Booking Ahead

• Egg and Spoon (for ages 1-3) at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Sep 27-Oct 1)
• Classic Car Boot Sale at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Sep 30-Oct 1)
• Apple Day at Fulham Palace (Oct 1)
• FUN DMC at Boxpark Croydon (Oct 8)
• Disney 100: The Exhibition at ExCel Centre (opens Oct 13)
• Skateboard at Design Museum (Oct 20-Jun 2, 2024)
• The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo, NW1 (Oct 21-Dec 31)
• There’s A Tiger in the Garden at Jacksons Lane (Oct 23-27)
• October Half Term Activities at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square (Oct 24-26)
• Little Angel Theatre’s Miniature Travelling Circus at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Oct 25-28)
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre (opens Nov 1)
• Burma to Myanmar at British Museum (Nov 2-Feb 11, 2024)
• Babies: A Newborn British Musical at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Nov 10-12)
• The Paddington Bear Experience at Southbank (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!**