London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 14-17, 2024)

It’s beginning to feel a lot like… yes mamas and papas, Christmas is on the way. And you can get festive vibes all over London especially now the Christmas lights are switched on around town. I’ve found 13 thrilling family activities for Londoners this weekend including events to make us all pause, reflect and reimagine. Wishing you a good one.

13 Thrilling Family Activities for Londoners this Weekend

Thu-Sat: Poppy Fields at the Tower, Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Tower Hill tube)
LAST CHANCE: Close out Remembrance Week with a trip to the Tower of London’s moving tribute. In partnership with Luxmuralis, the Historic Royal Palaces installation projects sound and light onto the tower with artwork commemorating WW1 and WW2. Take your chance also to see the Crown Jewels after-hours without the usual crowds. Timed tickets 5pm-7.30pm; adult £19.50/child 5-15 £12.50/under 5s FREE (until Nov 16)

Thu-Sun: Skate at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Annually dubbed London’s coolest ice rink, Somerset House’s Skate draws skaters of all ages and abilities. For young ones and beginners, there’s a Skate School and Kids Skate Club. For older skaters, hang out at Skate Late nights with live DJs. Also features a giant Xmas tree, shopping arcade, Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia. Skaters aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, the rink is suitable for around ages 3-4 upwards. Wheelchair skaters have special slots but can join any session. Skate sessions last 45 minutes between 11am-9.45pm (times may vary e.g. Christmas Week & NY Eve); adult tickets from £12-£25.50/child £15 — pre-booking advised (Nov 13-Jan 12)

Thu-Sun: Letters for Palestinian Childhoods at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Created by Rachel Rosen and Feryal Awan, this powerful and inevitably poignant exhibition features poems, artwork and letters by kids and adults around the world, dedicated to Palestinian children. The letters can also be listened to in English and Arabic and viewed on the Letters for Palestinian Childhoods website (open to contributions). Content warning: Letters include content about genocide, violence against young people, and war. All ages. Rich Mix opening hours: 9am-late (Mon-Fri), 10am-late (Sat-Sun); FREE  (Nov 14-Dec 6)

Thu-Sun: Christmas at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
One of London’s most booked-out light trails returns for the festive period. Experience a sparkling lake, dazzling treetop waterfall, glittering tunnels, fiery sculptures and an illuminated Rose Garden. Enjoy the Palm House Pond finale light show set to Christmas tunes, plus food stalls and look out for Father Christmas! All ages. 4.20pm-10pm (last entry times vary depending on entrance gate); adult from £25.50 off peak/£32 peak; family tickets available (Nov 13-Jan 5)

Thu-Sun: VOGUE: Inventing the Runway at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Immerse yourself in the glamour of the fashion runway to Lightroom King’s Cross. With 360-degree projection of footage and stories from Vogue magazine’s extraordinary archive, this exhibition is one for both lovers of fashion and history. All ages welcome. 10am-3pm (Tue), 10am-6pm (Wed & Sun), 10am-8pm (Thu-Sat); adult from £25/child ages 3-18 £15/under 3s FREE before 6pm/family discounts available (Nov 13-Apr 26)

Thu-Sun: Tottenham Literature Festival, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, N15 4RX (Seven Sisters tube/rail)
Now in its sixth year, this fabulous festival celebrates Black authors, artists and poets including Bernadine Evaristo, Diane Abbott and picture book author Kelechi Okafor. The theme for 2024 is ‘Black imaginations’ and the festival wraps up with poet and playwright Inua Ellams’ The Rap Party, fusing words, music and live DJ finale. Various timings; from £10 (until Nov 17)

Thu-Sun: Ice Rink at Canary Wharf, Canary Wharf Tower, E14 5EW (Canary Wharf tube/DLR & Elizabeth Line)
Skate under a canopy of 1,000 sparkling fairy lights and refresh yourself with drinks from the rink-side bar, plus local shops and restaurants. From around 10am daily-9pm/late (timings vary, skate sessions 45 mins); adult, teen or child from £13.95/family from £53.95 (until Feb 23) 

Thu-Sun: The Mystery of Little Angel Theatre at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
LAST CHANCE: Can you solve the puzzle of the famous puppet theatre? Help super sleuth Danyah Miller play games and figure out clues, with assistance from camera footage and a theatre map. Experiential theatre for ages 6+. Various show times Wed-Sun: 10.30am, 11am, 1.15pm, 2pm, 4pm & 4.45pm (confirm times at booking); adult £15/child 1-17 £13/all tickets Fri 4.45pm £10/previews Sep 21-22 £8 (until Nov 17)

Sat-Sun: The Paddington Bear Experience at Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Charing Cross tube/rail, Westminster tube)
With a new Paddington movie out, and Christmas around the corner, the friendly bear’s immersive experience gets a festive makeover. Guests can delight in gingerbread paws, mince pies and orange hot chocolate, and a 5.5m Christmas tree! The Paddington Bear Experience blends video, live performance and multi-sensory design and includes a train carriage ride, multiple themed rooms, gift shop, and photo ops! Best for ages 4+ and families. Entry times 10am-3.30pm (Mon-Fri & Sun), 10am-4.45pm (Sat); adult £34/child £24/under 2s FREE (ongoing/Christmas activities Nov 16-Jan 5)

Sat-Sun: Anansi and the Lost Sun, Puppet Theatre Barge, 35 Blomfield Rd, Little Venice W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Discover “Anansi” stories, lively and community-led tales that traveled with enslaved African people to the Caribbean and later to the UK with the Windrush generation. Swallow’s Wings Puppetry bring these universal stories charmingly to life at the barge theatre. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; adult £14/child £10/babies 0-2 FREE on grownup’s lap (Nov 16-24)

Sat-Sun: Fujifilm House of Photography Santa’s Grotto, 8-9 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LH (Covent Garden tube)
Walk into a winter wonderland with magical feels. You can snap a photo with the big guy in red, as well as play games, take part in crafting, meet the Elves and more. 11am-6pm (Sat-Sun Nov 16-17, Fri-Sun Nov 22-Dec 15 & Mon-Sun Dec 16-24); child £30 + 2 accompanying adults FREE/2 children £54/3 children £81 (Nov 15-Dec 24)

Sun: EFG London Jazz Festival: Becoming Brave at The Jazz Social, Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street, EC2V 9HT (Moorgate tube/rail)
Through the Malaysian jungle, all the way to the UK, Becoming Brave takes families on an emotional journey through drama games and storytelling. Inspired by the book Becoming Brave by Jennie Cashman Wilson about her relationship with her late husband, critically-acclaimed jazz musician Abram Wilson, this workshop helps kids navigate some of life’s big moments. 1.30pm (Reception and Year 1) & 2.30pm (Year 2 and Year 3); child £15/concs £5/adults don’t require a ticket (Nov 17)

Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Grab your partner and do-si-do at this swinging family affair that’s celebrating 15 years! The day party for folk-loving folk features a live caller, a merry band and a joyful atmosphere. This weekend is the last family barn dance of the year, so hotfoot it to Cecil Sharp House. Suitable for all ages, from grandparents to babies in carriers. Book ahead to avoid disappointment. 3pm-4.30pm; adult £9.50/child £7.50/under 2s £2.50 (Nov 17)

We also like
For ages 16+, Autism Mama at Soho Theatre sees comedian Josephine Lacey exploring raising an autistic son through puberty (Thu-Sat); theatre piece Dizzy at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre blends technology and storytelling to explore grief, for ages 13+ (Thu-Sat); the Ever After Garden memorial installation is back at Grosvenor Square until Dec 18 (Thu-Sun); Newham Festival of Stories runs until Nov 22 (Thu-Sun); pro magician and mathematician Andrew Jeffrey marks 50 Years of the Rubik’s Cube at Royal Institution (Sat); the illuminated Epping Ongar Railway Lights Express rides again until Jan 12 (Sat-Sun)

Booking Ahead

• For Crying Out Loud Baby-Friendly Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Nov 22)
• Aurora Orchestra: The Wolf, The Duck and the Mouse at Kings Place, N1 (Nov 23)
• Pollocks Live Toy Theatre: Christmas Double Bill at Museum of the Home, E2 (Nov 24)
• Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light at V&A Museum, SW7 (Nov 30) 
• Victoria’s Childhood Christmas at Kensington Palace, W8 (Dec 4-Jan 5)
• Drawing Quest at V&A, SW7 (Dec 7)
• Versailles: Science and Splendour at Science Museum (Dec 12-Apr 21)

**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!**