Cold innit? You probably want to hunker down indoors but there are just too many family fun activities in London this weekend. Wrap up warm and brave the temperatures to catch some of the best kid-friendly theatre, exhibitions, installations and light shows that the city has to offer. Have a great one and don’t forget to check out my London Hot List 2024!
12 Family Fun Activities in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures: Edward Scissorhands at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
LAST CHANCE: A young boy struggles to find his place in a world that’s afraid of his difference. The brilliant Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures presents their balletic spin on Tim Burton’s classic movie. Ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Thu & Sat), 2pm & 7pm (Sun); from £15 (until Jan 20)
Thu-Sat: My Neighbour Totoro Live at Barbican Centre, Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
The RSC adaptation of the Studio Ghibli animation has won loads of awards since it first appeared in 2022. Don’t miss this vibrant production with live orchestra featuring music from composer Joe Hisaishi and puppets by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. For ages 6+. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); from £25 (until Mar 23, 2024)
Thu-Sun: Magical Mischief, WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Harry Potter fans can find out about all the trickery and wizard filmmaking that helped capture some of the series’ most mischievous episodes. Discover the secrets of the Weasley twins’ Whizbangs, the Invisibility Cloak, Harry’s flying acceptance letters from Hogwarts and more. All ages welcome. (Jan 20-Apr 16)
Thu-Sun: The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: Follow Gerda in search of her bestie Kai who’s disappeared with the Snow Queen. This adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen tale has songs, spectacle and a flurry of magic. For ages 6-12 – please note show contains haze, smoke and bright, colourful flashing lights throughout. Various times including 10.15am, 1.45pm (Wed-Fri) & 11am & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun); from £10 (until Jan 21)
Thu-Sun: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, Canada Square Park and around Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
See Canary Wharf all lit up as the annual Winter Lights display returns. Stroll around the area and marvel at 20 dazzling light installations. It’s free to explore but do note that it gets quite busy on the weekend. You could also have a skate on the Canary Wharf Ice Rink which is open through February. All ages. 5pm-10pm daily, FREE (Jan 17-27)
Thu-Sun: The Witches at National Theatre (Olivier Theatre), South Bank, SE1 9PX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Curses! The witches are out to wreck things for everyone until a brave boy Luke and his Gran dare to stop them in their tracks. A musical version of Roald Dahl’s novel, directed by Lyndsey Turner withbook 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 (until Jan 27)
Thu-Sun: Malorie Blackman: The Power of Stories at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras/Euston tube/rail)
Go behind the books with one of Britain’s favourite children’s authors. Find out how the little girl who loved the library grew into a creator of unforgettable stories like Noughts & Crosses. All ages. 9.30am-6pm (Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri), 9.30am-8pm (Tue), 9.30am-5pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); FREE (until Feb 25)
Thu-Sun: The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Go on a voyage to the moon with narrator Tom Hanks in this epic adventure using NASA footage and breath-taking audio and visual projection. This immersive exhibition presents the Apollo missions at spectacular scale. Timed slots between 10am-7pm (Sun-Wed) & 10am-8pm (Thu-Sat); adults from £25/child 3-17 £15/under 3s FREE (until Apr 21)
Thu-Sun: Plaza Suite at Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0ET (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Tickets ain’t cheap for this but it’s a one-in-a-kind chance to see husband and wife Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker in the West End. They’re playing a married couple in this cracking comedy by the legendary Neil Simon. Best for ages 13+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 5pm (Sun); from £55 (Jan 17-Mar 30)
Thu-Sun: BBC Earth Experience, at The Daikin Centre, Earl’s Court, Empress Place, SW6 1TW (Earl’s Court tube)
National treasure David Attenborough brings his voice of experience and insight to the narration of this immersive experience. See footage from the documentary Seven Worlds, One Planet projected onto multi-angle screens. All ages (under 3s go FREE). 10am-4pm (Tue-Fri), 9am-9pm (Sat), 10am-7pm (Sun); from adult £19/child £15/under 3s FREE (ongoing)
Sat-Sun: The Three Billy Goats Gruff at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Have you ever wondered if the grass really is greener on the other side? The Three Billy Goats Gruff are determined to discover this for themselves but they’ve got a very angry troll in their way. Can they make it across the bridge? The popular fairytale musical returns to Unicorn. Ages 3-6. 11am (Tue, Wed & Fri), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Thu), 11.30am & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun); from £11-£20.50 (Jan 20-Feb 18)
Sat-Sun: The Selfish Giant at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
LAST CHANCE: Climb onto the barge theatre to see this lively adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s tale. This production uses marionettes (string puppets) to bring the story to life. This production is also available to watch online! For ages 4+, younger ones welcome. 11am & 2pm (relaxed shows and BSL shows available); adult £14/child 2-16 £10/adult + baby under 2 £14 (until Jan 21)
Booking Ahead
- Cute at Somerset House, WC2 (Jan 25-Apr 14)
- Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave: We Can Be Heroes at FABRIC (Jan 28)
- Family Studio: Drawing from Life at Royal Academy, W1 (Jan 28)
- Megson Family Folk Show at Kings Place, N1 (Feb 4)
- You Are The Sun at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Feb 7-11)
- Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Feb 7-17)
- Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Feb 8-Mar 23)
- Diversity: Supernova at London Palladium, W1F (Feb 9 & 10)
- Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum, SE23 (Feb 10-Nov 3)
- Family Workshop for Children with SEND: Our Pasts at Royal Academy, W1 (Feb 11)
- Protest at Brixton House, SW9 (Feb 13-16)
- Early Years Studio: Buildings at Royal Academy, W1 (Feb 21)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Feb 23, Mar 15. Apr 19, May 17, Jun 21 & Jul 12)
- Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave: DnB Superhero DJ Aphrodite in Wood Green (Feb 25)
- Family Studio: Print at Royal Academy, W1 (Feb 25)
**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!**
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