There’s lots on in London this weekend for families and I’ve got a bunch of ideas for you in today’s Weekend Scoop. From splash fountains to immersive exhibitions, spectacular shows and outdoor festivals. Take a look below!
BOOKIVERSARY GIVEAWAY
In case you missed it, I’m celebrating one year since the publication of Raising Boys Who Do Better with a book giveaway! This book has earned praise from Rob Delaney, Jeffrey Boakye, Kirstie Beaven (Sonshine magazine) and more. It’s been featured on Brittle Paper’s 100 Notable Books of the Year, BBC Radio London, Gaby Logan’s The Midpoint, The Green Parent magazine (front cover!), and most recently on Voice of America. I’ve had important virtual chats with bestselling authors Eve Rodsky and Sonora Gha, author and campaigner Elliott Rae and more. I’ve spoken live (and sold out of books) at events e.g. Waterstones Gower St, Reasons To Be Cheerful Live, What Sarah Read Next, No More Lost Books and SYLA Boys Academy. And this summer, I’ll be speaking on the book stage at Wilderness Festival!
To thank you for your support, I’m giving away 2 SIGNED FIRST EDITION COPIES of the book, with a personal message to the winner. To enter the competition, simply fill in your details here and best of luck!
What’s On in London This Weekend for Families
Thu-Sun: YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan/Hinotori: The Wings of Phoenix at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Prepare for some serious noise, energy, spectacle and athleticism as the drummers of YAMATO bring their unforgettable sound back to Peacock Theatre. Sharing the centuries-old tradition of Taiko drumming, these performers have blazed a path across 54 different countries and regions. Best for ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). Expect loud drumming and haze effects. 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 8pm (Sun); from £18 (Jun 6-22)
Thu-Sun: Gifford’s Circus: Avalon at Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
The travelling circus returns to Chiswick House with a brand new extravaganza of acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns. Described as a UK national treasure, Gifford’s Circus has wowed audiences around the country. This show blends poetry, music and performing arts for a tale set on Avalon, the medieval island of Arthurian legend. 7pm (Thu Jun 6); 4.30pm & 7.30pm (Mon), 4.30pm, 7.30pm & 9.30pm (Thu & Fri), 11am, 3pm & 7.30pm (Sat), 11am, 2.30pm & 5pm (Sun) — NB show times vary, confirm at booking; adult from £25-£40/child 3-14 £15-£30/under 3s FREE (Jun 6-23)
Thu-Sun: Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms at Southbank Centre Riverside Terrace (Level 2), Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Is summer officially here? It might not feel like it with this changeable weather, but summer’s definitely started once this activity opens. Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms water fountain installation has been thrilling kids (and grownups) for years now. It’s a liquid sculpture that puts out surprising jets of water that you have to dash through… or get drenched. Pack your babes and a change of clothes and soak up the fun. All ages. 10am-6pm (Wed-Sun); FREE (Jun 5-Sep 8)
Thu-Sun: Mean Girls the Musical at Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0ET (Piccadilly Circus tube)
We’ve been anticipating this show since January (find it on my 2024 Hot list) and finally, it’s here. So fetch! Adapted by Tina Fey from her hit 90s movie, Mean Girls the Musical sweeps into the West End with snappy comebacks, catchy songs and slay-worthy outfits. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu or Fri & Sat), 3pm (Sun): from £15-£199 (Jun 6-Oct 27)
Thu-Sun: Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at 106 Commercial Street (opposite Old Spitalfields Market), E1 6LZ (Shoreditch High St overground, Liverpool St tube/rail)
More than 5 million visitors have experienced this mesmerising show that allows you to step inside the paintings of Van Gogh. With ceiling to floor projections of his works, this multi-sensory exhibition uses interactive VR to trace the artist’s story. All ages welcome (NB: limited pushchair space, no baby changing facilities). Tours last around 90 mins. 10am-8pm, last entry 7pm (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sun), 9am-9pm, last entry 8pm (Sat), closed Tue; adult 13+ from £18/concs £19/child 4-13 from £12/family of 4 from £12pp/under 4s go FREE but require a ticket – VIP passes available (until Jul 31)
Fri: For Your Inspiration: AI and Me at Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BS (Green Park tube)
What does the future hold for us now that AI is becoming mainstream? People are using tools like Chat GPT to create everything from college essays to poetry, music and artwork. But will this squeeze humans out of various industries or will it change our lives for the better? These talks are aimed at secondary age kids and their curious grownups. Hear from experts working in AI, ask the panel all your burning questions, explore the demos and activities around the building. Ages 13+. 6pm-9pm; from £17.06/£10.85 concs/RI members £0-£7.75 (Jun 7)
Fri-Sun: Wandsworth Arts Fringe, in and around Wandsworth
There’s another 16 days of cultural activities planned for the Wandsworth Arts Fringe. Boasting family theatre, arts and crafts activities, book talks and more, this weekend’s family lineup includes: student’s artwork Fashioning Wandsworth, interactive art project I’m A Big Fan, theatre show Spreading the Joy, and children’s workshop Your Bay, My Bay, Our Bay. All ages welcome (age guidance for some activities, check ahead). Various times, dates and prices/many events are FREE (Jun 7-23)
Sat: National March for a Ceasefire, Russell Square to Whitehall (Russell Square tube)
Walk in solidarity with people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities and faiths including a strong and welcome block of Jewish marchers against genocide. Raise your voices for the thousands of innocents killed and all those still held in captivity by Hamas and the Israeli regime. 12.30pm-4.30pm; FREE (Jun 8)
More Campaigns to Support
- Take part in family art project Birds of Gaza (online)
- Write to Your MP https://una.org.uk/gaza-crisis-write-your-mp
- Support Hands Up Project’s work with Palestinian school kids
- Donate through an organisation e.g. Choose Love, Action for Children, UNICEF, Medical Aid for Palestinians
- Show support for Hostages held by Hamas https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/
- Follow a grassroots Jewish-Arab solidarity movement https://www.standing-together.org/2023war
Sat-Sun: Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, SE24 0PA (Brixton, Clapham North tube/Herne Hill rail)
Come along for the 50th anniversary of this incredible free outdoor event. You’re welcome to bring your own food and unopened drinks along for a weekend of welly wanging, sheep shearing, animal petting, crafts workshops, bird of prey displays, Wall of Death stunt biking, farmer’s markets, sports and games, and of course live music from an eclectic lineup. Groove in the open air to roots, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, ska and samba music. All ages welc.ome. 1pm-9pm; FREE (Jun 8-9)
Sat-Sun: London Square Open Gardens Weekend, multiple London locations
Get a sneak peek into some of the city’s most lush green spaces. Now in its 25th year, Open Gardens Weekend gives you access to more than 100 hidden and little known private gardens, community allotments, secret parks and rooftop gardens. Ticket sales support London Gardens Trust. All ages welcome – NB: entry to some gardens is by ballot or rebooking only. Various times; adult £22/child £11/under 12s FREE (Jun 8-9)
Sun: Marylebone Summer Festival at Marylebone Village, W1 (Baker St/Regent’s Park tube, Marylebone rail)
It’s the 20th anniversary for this summer fete in Marylebone Village. Bring the whole crew along for a whole day of food, drink and entertainment. Pop into a stall, restaurant or bar nearby. Hear live music, take part in family friendly arts and crafts, check out the Bark in the Park dog zone, hop on a Ferris wheel and rides and more. All ages. 11am-5.30pm (until 8pm in Paddington Street Gardens); FREE (Jun9)
Sun: Wembley Park Presents: Hello Summer! A Day of Fun for All the Family at Samovar Space, Olympic Way, Wembley Park HA9 0FR (Wembley Park tube)
Launch into summer with a whole day of family fun at Wembley park. In partnership with Busk in London and Annie’s Kids Club, this is a day of outdoor activities ranging from dancing and hula hooping workshops to street games, art, Disney sing-alongs, face painting, balloon modelling and the Wembley Park Farmer’s Market. All ages. 11am-3pm; FREE (Jun 9)
Booking Ahead
- Kids Week: Free Theatre Tickets – Booking Opens June 11, 10am! (shows from Jul 24-Sep 6)
- Taste Festival, Regent’s Park (Jun 12-16)
- Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre (Jun 14-23)
- Punchdrunk Enrichment: Enitan’s Game, Wembley Park (Jun 14-Sep 1)
- The Dream Sequence: Aerial Theatre at Brixton Windmill (Jun 15)
- The Great Exhibition Rd Festival, South Kensington (Jun 15-16)
- The Secret Garden at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jun 15-Jul 20)
- Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024, Piccadilly (Jun 18-Aug 18)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Jun 21 & Jul 12)
- Radiate Festival: Culture Weekend, Burgess Park (Jun 22 & 23)
- Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (Jun 22-23)
- Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Jun 22-Aug 18)
- Family Studio Summer Celebration at Royal Academy (Jun 23)
- Pub in the Park festival, Chiswick (Jun 28-30)
- Pride in London parade, central London (Jun 29)
- Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away: Mendelssohn and the Moving Machines at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 29-30)
- Southbank Centre Summer Festival: You Belong Here, SE1 (Jun 29-Sep 8)
- Just Vibez Windrush Celebration, Brixton (Jun 30)
- River Stage at National Theatre, SE1 (Jul 5-28)
- Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, City of London (Jul 7, 21 or 28)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Jul 13)
- Monster Jam, London Stadium (Jul 13)
- Theatre on Kew at Kew Gardens (Jul 19-Sep 1)
- Fiddler on the Roof at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jul 27-Sep 21)
- Little Angel Theatre’s Puppet Festival, Angel N1 (Aug 2-Sep 1)
**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!**
May Half Term London Kids Guide 2024
