London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 9-12, 2023)

As the nights close in, it’s lovely to see London lighting up for Christmas with sparkling scenes and more ice rinks opening. This weekend it’s also Diwali, the traditional Indian festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, something we definitely need in these times. I’ve found 13 fantastic family activities for Londoners this weekend, from art exhibitions to theatre and workshops. Wishing you love and light.

13 Fantastic Family Activities for Londoners this Weekend

Thu & Sat: The Witches at National Theatre (Olivier Theatre), South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Forget everything you’ve ever heard about witches and meet some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. These evil schemers have come up with a wicked plan, until Luke and his Gran threaten to put a spanner in the works. This lively musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s tale is directed by Lyndsey Turner and features book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood, and music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy. Best for ages 8+. 7pm or 1.30pm (matinees on Wed & Sat from Nov 18); £20-£96 (opens Nov 7)

Thu-Sun: Women In Revolt at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico tube, Victoria rail/tube)
Are you in a rebellious mood? Fight the power with some inspiration from this big and bold new exhibition, the first of its kind, spanning work by 100+ female UK artists. These paintings, photographs, films, installations and performances helped to herald a new wave of feminism, highlighting causes such as reproductive rights, equal pay, race equality and women’s refuge centres. All ages. 10am-5pm; from adult £17/child £5/under 12s FREE (Nov 8-Apr 7)

Fri: Friday Froglets at WWT Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube)
Weatherproof your kids at these autumn and winter forest school activities. Little ones can join in with nature crafts and games, learn new songs, share stories and round up with quiet time by a fire. These sessions are for adults and kids to enjoy together. 9.30am-5pm entry (Fris); FREE with regular admission: adult from £15.40/child from £9.50/family from £43.10/under 4s FREE – NB: pre-booking essential by emailing education.london@wwt.org.uk(Nov 10-Dec 15)

Fri-Sun: Babies: A Newborn British Musical at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
It’s billed as a coming of age musical and it’s focused on school kids in Year 11 who are only talking about one thing: babies. They’ve been given simulator dolls to look after for one week in summer and it’s more work than they could have imagined. This new(born) British musical tracks 9 students on their riotous journey to understanding what it might mean to be a parent. From Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan, Babies is a story of growing up filled with comedy and a pop-rock score. Best for ages 12+. 8pm (Fri-Sat) & 7pm (Sun); £25 (Nov 10-12)

Fri-Sun: Glide ice rink at Circus Rd W, Nine Elms SW8 5BN (Battersea Power Station tube, Battersea Park rail/overground)
The glitziest new ice rink town returns for the winter season. It’s your chance to have a peek around the revamped Battersea Power Station too, if you haven’t ventured that way yet. London’s only riverside ice skating scene offers three interconnecting rinks and views over the Thames. Also enjoy funfair rides, mulled wine, street food and live entertainment. 10am-10pm (Mon-Fri, site open for skaters 9.20am), 9am-11pm (Sat-Sun, site open to skaters 8.20am); adult from £12.50/child from £8.50/private igloo from £12.50/family from £38/adult and toddler from £11.50 (Nov 10-Jan 7)

Fri-Sun: Hänsel and Gretel, Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO), north London’s award-winning opera company, presents a fully-staged production of the children’s story with live orchestra and some brilliant young opera singers. Humperdinck’s enchanting fairy tale opera follows Hänsel and Gretel into the woods, where they encounter the wicked Nibble-Witch, the Sandman and the Dew Fairy. Sung in German with English subtitles, this production features local children as the chorus of Gingerbread Children. All ages welcome, warnings for strobe lighting and haze effects. 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 4.30pm (Sun); £25-£40/child age 5-15 £12/select discounts for under 25s (Nov 10-19)

Fri-Sun: Club Curling at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Coal Drops Yard brings back the winter sport described as ‘bowling’s cooler cousin’. You can play with up to 6 people in a team and pretend you’re hitting it big at the Winter Olympics. All ages welcome. 12pm-8pm; £8 per person/under 12s FREE (when accompanied by an adult) (Nov 10-Feb 25)

Sat: Diwali: Shine Your Light at National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, Greenwich SE10 9NF(Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Come to Greenwich to celebrate the festival of lights with an all day series of activities for friends, family and community. There are Rangoli workshops, DJ set from Tara Kumar, family crafts, beginners yoga and breath work and puppet shows. With the setting sun, you can take part in an atmospheric lantern parade. All ages welcome. 11.30am-5pm; FREE (Nov 11)

Sat: Lord Mayor’s Show (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
It’s set to be a busy weekend in London but if you’re happy to mingle with crowds, don’t miss one of the city’s most vibrant events. Dating back to the 13th century, the Lord Mayor’s Show celebrates the crowning of the 695th Lord Mayor of London with a three-mile procession of pageantry and floats from Bank to Aldwych. All ages welcome, expect crowds. 11am-2.30pm; FREE (Nov 11)

Sat: Witches! A Draw-Along Cartoon Workshop at Cartoon Museum, 63 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, W1A 3AE (Oxford Circus/Tottenham Court Rd/Goodge St tube)
Head to the Cartoon Museum to join expert cartoonist Steve Marchant for a hands-on workshop. You’ll learn to design your own cartoon witches and draw them in a one-page comic strip. The event will also feature a presentation by Dr Simona Di Martino on teen witches in Italian comics and print media for young girls. Suitable for beginners and artists with little experience and welcome to all ages including young kids and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Part of the Being Human Festival 2023 and sponsored by the University of Warwick. 11am-12.30pm; FREE (Nov 11)

Sat-Sun: The Bolds at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Have you met The Bolds? They’re just like you and me except they happen to be a family of hyenas. How long can Mr and Mrs Bold and their twins Betty and Bobby keep their beastly secret under their hats? Julian Clara’s adaptation of his bestselling book is back after its roaring success in 2021. Live music and songs and plenty of laughs for ages 6+. Various shows from 11am; adult from £12.50-£31.50/child from £10.50-£22.50 (Nov 11-Dec 31)

Sat-Sun: A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo rail/tube)
Now a seasonal favourite, Jack Thorne’s uplifting adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel returns, this time with Christopher Eccleston in the lead role as Ebenezer Scrooge. Rediscover the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future in this timeless tale. Ages 8+. Various shows at 2.30pm & 7.30pm or 2pm & 7pm (closed Suns); £10-£90 (Nov 11-Jan 6)

Sat-Sun: Hogwarts in the Snow at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Make a trip to Harry Potter’s boarding school and see it transformed for Christmas. The Great Hall and the Forbidden Forest get a festive makeover and the Hogwarts Castle model is blanketed in snow. Catch behind-the-scenes looks at the props and special effects that bring this magical world to life. All ages welcome. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £53.50/child from £40/family £160/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Nov 11-Jan 14)

We also like
Another march for a ceasefire is planned for Saturday, make your voices count (Sat); join the Family Film Club at Barbican Centre to watch animation Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia (Sat); down at Horniman Museum there’s an interactive Enchanted Cinema for ages 4-12, this weekend it’s Where the Wild Things Are + My Neighbour Totoro (Sun); mark Remembrance Sunday at a number of events including the big parade on the Cenotaph (Sun); families and kids can listen to Soldier Stories and meet a nurse from the past at National Army Museum (Sun); it’s Diwali on Sunday too and a great time to light a candle for unity, love and hope (Sun)

Booking Ahead

• Winter Festival at Museum of the Home, E2 (from Nov 14-Feb, 2024)
• Skate at Somerset House, WC2 (Nov 15-Jan 14)
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, WC2 (Nov 17-Jan 1)
• Harriet Dyer: Mother at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Nov 18)
• The Snowman at Peacock Theatre Sadler’s Wells, Holborn WC2 (Nov 18-Dec 30)
• Aladdin at Hackney Empire, E8 (Nov 18-Dec 31)
• The Princess and the Pea at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Nov 19)
• Diwali Family Day at Museum of the Home, E2 (Nov 19)
• FUN DMC at Boxpark Wembley (Nov 19 & Dec 17)
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, WC2 (from Nov 20)
• My Neighbour Totoro Live at Barbican Centre, EC1 (Nov 21-Mar 23, 2024)
• Father Christmas at Fulham Palace, SW6 (Nov 25)
• Big Fish Little Fish Snow Ball Family Rave in Peckham (Nov 26)
• Family Studio: Impressionists at Royal Academy, W1 (Nov 26)
• Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away Family Concert at Kings Place (Dec 2-3 & 10)
• FUN DMC at Boxpark Croydon (Dec 3)
• The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Dec 6-Apr 21)
• Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Dec 9, Jan 19, Feb 23 & Mar 15)
• Crafty Cub Market at The Crossing, N1C (Dec 10)
• 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!**