London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 12-15, 2024)

The week is wrapping up and I’ve handpicked some of the best weekend activities for London kids and parents. From a ballet-dancing pup to an entire festival for dog owners, as well as messy art play, gripping theatre, and raving with your whole crew, there should be something to appeal to you. 

In exciting news, I attended the Wainwright Prize literary awards ceremony last night as one of the judges on the Children’s Prize and it was wonderful to hear the panellists speak so passionately about nature, conservation and climate justice and to celebrate with the winners. More to come on my social media soon.

This weekend is an emotional one, as Saturday marks 20 years since I buried my dad. And tomorrow we’ll be taking our eldest off to university. I can’t even believe I’m typing those words. I started this blog when Ezra was 4 years old and now he’s heading off into a life of his own. No longer a baby, but forever mine. Sending love and solidarity to anybody else who’s approaching an empty nest or a half empty nest this season and feeling all the feels. May our baby birds fly.

12 Best Weekend Activities for London Kids and Parents

Thu-Sat: Shifters at Duke of York Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG (Leicester Sq tube, Charing Cross Rd tube/rail)It’s been getting rave reviews from critics and fans and there’s still time to catch this story of young Black love, now in the West End after a sold out run at Bush Theatre. Meet Des and Dre whose on again, off again romance plays out with a clock counting down. Starring Tosin Cole (Supacell on Netflix) and Heather Agyepong (School Girls or, The African Mean Girls Play). Recommended for ages 12+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); from £27.50 (until Oct 12)

Fri-Sat: Coriolanus at Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Rome’s greatest soldier is up for election, but he refuses to play the game and his truth-telling lands him in hot water. Can Coriolanus keep his head in Shakespeare’s provocative (and topical) tragedy. David Oyelowo (Selma) shines in the title role. No age guidance but content warnings for loud sounds, flashing lights, violence, warfare and death. 7pm (Mon-Sat), 1pm & 7pm (select Weds & Sats); £20-£89 (Sep 11-Nov 9)

Fri-Sun: Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
Biff is a dog who wants to twirl. You see, he’s not aware he’s just a pup… Biff thinks he’s a ballerina. Learn all about the bewitching character in Anna Kemp’s bestselling picture book in a show filled with puppets, ballet music and plenty of laughs. Ages 3-8. HURRY, tickets are selling out fast! Various shows from 10.30am (select dates); adult £15/child £13 (1-17)/babies under 1 FREE on carer’s lap/all tickets Fri 4.45pm £10

Fri-Sun: Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Sunflowers, starry nights and more to gawp at in this once-in-a-century show of Van Gogh’s most famous, and rarely seen, works. Come hang out in the ‘Poet’s Garden’ and celebrate with the National Gallery in their 200th birthday blockbuster exhibition. Tickets are flying of course, but this is your call to book asap. All ages. 10am-4.45pm (Sat-Thu), 10am-7.45pm (Fri); from £24 (Sep 14-Jan 19) 

Sat: Top Secret: The Magic of Science at The Exchange, 75 London Road, Twickenham TW1 1BE (Twickenham)
Wonders abound in this exciting show that fuses magic with science. Enter a real life science lab where the Top Secret crew will be showcasing non-stop experiments to keep you on your seat. Prepare for laughter, suspense and a ton of mess! All ages. 2pm; £10-£12 (Sep 14)

Sat: Little Red Riding Could at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/rail)
Remember that old fairytale about a girl in a red hood who gets eaten by a wolf? Well, what if she wasn’t quite so little and how about you learn her real name? With a feisty main character, this is a fun retelling of the classic kids’ story with songs and an inspirational message. For ages 3-8. 11am & 1pm; £10 (Sep 14)

NB: Little Red Riding Could is also playing at Arts Depot in North Finchley on Sunday. 11am & 2pm; from £12 (Sep 15)

Sat: Parent & Baby Screening: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)Take a trip into the crackpot world of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, back on screen nearly 40 years later. It stars original cast members Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, joined by Willem Dafoe, Monica Belluci and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday). When the Deetz family return to Winter River, they open a portal to the disruptive entity that is Beetlejuice. For parents with babies ages 12 months and under (soft lighting and sound, baby change and buggy parking. Up to 4 adults can accompany a baby, no admission without an infant. 11.15am (Sat & Mon); £6 (Sep 14 & 16)

Find more Parent and Baby Cinema Screenings in my London baby cinema guide

Sat-Sun: King’s Cross Dog Festival at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
You’re in for a grrrreat time at the Big Woof this weekend as the dog-owners’ festival returns to Coal Drops Yard. Come for puppy masterclasses, dog shows, workshops and activities from dog yoga to tarot readings! You’d be barking mad to miss it. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm daily; FREE but book online to secure your spot (Sep 14-15)

Sat-Sun: Open House Festival, multiple locations around London The ever popular London festival that gives visitors an inside look at some of the capital’s most fascinating structures. From museums to mosques, city attractions to private space, there are more than 100 venues to explore. The festival includes kid-friendly tours, workshops and interactive fun. All ages. From around 10am daily, FREE (Sep 14-22)

Sat-Sun: UNIQLO Tate Play: Make Studio, The Joy of Not Knowing at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark/Blackfriars tube).
Let your imagination run free at these art sessions where the whole family can join in. At this season’s Tate play, you’ll be transforming recycled materials into costumes, props and more. On Wednesdays, there are special activities for under 5s including sensory play, themed storybooks and more. All ages. 10.30-3pm (Weds, families with under 5s), 10.30am-6pm (Sat-Sun); FREE (Aug 31-Oct 23)

Sat-Sun: Colourscape Music Festival on Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, off Rookery Rd (near Long Pond lake and Windmill Pub), SW4 9DE (Clapham Common/Clapham South tube)
The annual festival of music and colour returns. Pop on a coloured cape and immerse yourself in a multi-sensory maze filled with colour, light and pop-up performances. All ages welcome and fully wheelchair accessible. 11am-4pm (weekends Sep 14-15 & 21-22); 12pm-1pm (Mon-Wed), 11am-4pm (Thu-Fri Quiet days, Sep 19/20); adult 12/child £6/family £32/discounts on weekdays & Thu-Fri Quiet days (Sep 14-22)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish End of Summer ‘Story of Bass’ Family Rave at Fox & Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ (Ladywell rail)
Get into the groove with the family rave crew at this end of summer party. Acclaimed DJ Mr Switch tells the Story of Bass in a two hour set spanning hip hop, jungle, UK Garage, drum and bass and dubstep! The venue has a massive outdoor garden with tent so you can enjoy that festival feeling. BFLF extras include bubbles, balloons, foam, parachute dance, Nifty Natty craft tables and Villa Pia baby chill out. All ages welcome, perfect for 0-8. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child from £9/pre-walking infant FREE (Sep 15)

We also like
Enjoy a carnival procession, kids activities, talks and more at Markfield Road Festival in Tottenham (Fri-Sun); head to CelebrASIA, Battersea Power Station’s festival of food, music and culture from South East Asia (Fri-Sun); catch incredible acts on 6 pedestrianised streets for Camden Music Festival, lineup includes Paul Oakenfold, Jazzie B, Brand New Heavies, Don Letts and Grace Jones! (Fri-Sun); it’s your LAST CHANCE to see Kiss Me Kate with Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) at Barbican (ends Sat); and don’t miss Imelda Staunton who’s blowing the roof off at London Palladium in Hello Dolly (ends Sat)

Booking Ahead

• Art History Festival: Windrush and Beyond at Imperial War Museum London, SE1 (Sep 21)
• Family Day: Marvellous Me at British Library, NW1 (Sep 21)
• How The Light Gets In Festival at Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 (Sep 21-22)
• The Museum of Marvellous Things at Jacksons Lane, Highgate (Sep 22)
• Silk Roads at British Museum, WC1 (Sep 26-Feb 23)
• Imran Perretta: A Riot in Three Acts at Somerset House, WC2 (Sep 27-Nov 10)
• Wonder Gigs (for ages 0-4) at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Sep 28)
• Story Play: Play Labs at Rich Mix, E1 (Sep 29, Oct 6 & Nov 17)
• National Changgeuk Company of Korea: Lear at Barbican Theatre (Oct 3-6)
• Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London at Fashion & Textile Museum, SE1 (Oct 4-Mar 9)
• Black Culture Market at Department Store, Brixton SW9 (Oct 5-6)
• Apple Day at Fulham Palace, SW6 (Oct 6)
• Toto Kerblammo at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Oct 6-Nov 3)
• Author Event: The Story of Britain’s Black Nurses at Florence Nightingale Museum, SE1 (Oct 12)
• A Tiger’s Tale at Jacksons Lane, N6 (Oct 13)
• For Crying Out Loud Baby-Friendly Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Oct 16 & Nov 22)
• Hew Locke: What Have We Here? at British Museum, WC1 (Oct 17-Feb 9)
• Storyquest Sleepover for ages 6-11 at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Oct 19)
• Windrush Adventures at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Oct 20)
• Medieval Women: In Their Own Words at British Library, NW1 (Oct 25-Mar 2)
• VOGUE: Inventing the Runway at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Oct 25-Mar 30)
• FUNHarmonics Family Concert: Stan & Mabel at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (Oct 26)
• Telling Tales with Chris Riddell and Ana Sampson at Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1 (Oct 27)
• You Choose at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Nov 3)
• Picasso: Printmaker at British Museum, WC1 (Nov 7-Mar 30)
• Aurora Orchestra: The Wolf, The Duck and the Mouse at Kings Place, N1 (Nov 23)

Want More? Check out 24 Things to Do in London this Autumn!

**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!**