February is birthday season at Babes HQ and my original babe turns 19 on Sunday. I was sad to do his last Birthday Q&A for the blog on his 18th but you can read our youngest’s interview when his birthday rolls around mid-month. In the meantime, check out all the fantastic family activities in London this weekend. Musical theatre, colourful exhibitions, family friendly dance workshops, a live concert for little ones, and a giant installation of the sun in Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Enjoy!
11 Fantastic Family Activities in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Play On at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/rail/overground)
This Harlem-infused musical, inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, is set in the Jazz scene of New York’s Cotton Club. Singer Vy gets entangled with club owner the Duke and nightclub star Lady Liv. Play On blends the sounds of Duke Ellington with street dance choreography and is directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed); £10-£45 (Jan 28-Feb 22)
Thu-Sun: Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism, Royal Academy (Main Galleries), Burlington House, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus/Green Park tube)
View 130+ works starring 10 of the most signification Brazilian artists from the 20th century. Flourishing between the 1910s and 1970s, Brazilian modern art captured everyday life, indigenous identity and the Afro-Brazilian experience among other influences. See work by Anita Malfatti, Rubem Valentim, Alfredo Volpi and others. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (Tue-Sun), 10am-9pm; adult £23.50-£25.50/concs £19/child under 16 FREE (Jan 28-Apr 21)
Thu-Sun: Galapagos at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Embark on a breathtaking journey with orphan Juno, outwitting the world’s wealthiest man and helping to save Mother Nature from destruction. Journey to the land of Galapagos in this modern myth blending puppetry, physical theatre and live music. Ages 7-107. 3.30pm & 7.30pm; £16-£25 (Jan 29-Feb 2)
Thu-Sun: The Snowy Day at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: Watch young Peter discover a world covered in snow. Based on the wonderful (and at its time, groundbreaking) picture book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day is a dance adaptation that brings the story to life for ages 1-4 and their grownups. 10.45am & 1.15pm (Thu), 10.45am (Fri), 10am, 11.45am & 2.45pm (Sat-Sun); from £14 (until Feb 2)
Thu-Sun: Helios at Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
You might have seen the Moon and the planet Mars at the Painted Hall and now Luke Jerram has created his most ambitious installation yet. Lighting up the majestic venue (some have dubbed it the UK’s Sistine Chapel), Helios is a 7-metre vision of the Sun, set to a dramatic soundscape. All ages welcome. 10.15am-4.15pm daily time slots (4.30pm-8pm Thu lates), quiet hour 10am-11.15am (Fris); adult £16.50/child under 16 FREE/concs. available/1st Sundays ticket £5 (Jan 25-Mar 25)
Fri: Family Freestyle at Sadler’s Wells Angel (Dorfman Room), Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Kids love to shake and roll? These playful sessions are for young kids and their families and run by professional dance artists in tandem with the world famous dance theatre. Try out a range of dance styles and let loose, while your little one enhances their coordination, social interaction and creative thinking. Ages 2-4 and parents/carers (up to 2 kids can be accompanied by 1 adult). 2pm & 3pm (select Fris); from £4 (Jan 31-Mar 28)
Fri-Sun: Pig Heart Boy at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Based on the popular novel by author Malorie Blackman (Noughts and Crosses), Pig Heart Boy tells the story of Cameron, a 13 year old boy who only wants to live a normal life. Yet he needs a heart transplant and with his options running out, he must decide how far he’s willing to go… Adapted by Winsome Pinnoc and directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, this thought-provoking production is best for ages 9-13. Previews until Feb 2 11am (Fri), 1pm & 4.30pm (Sat), 2pm (Sun); regular shows Tue-Sun at various times; ticket range £8.50-£16.50 (Jan 26-Feb 22)
Sat-Sun: Lunar New Year in London, multiple locations from Chinatown to Trafalgar Square (Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with another feast of music, food and culture in and around Chinatown. The fun begins on Saturday with lion dances in Chinatown (11am-5pm). The main action is on Sunday where you can watch the Chinese New Year Parade through Trafalgar Square to Chinatown (10am-11.45am), a medley of costumed lions, dragons, drumming and dancing and floats. Stick in Trafalgar Square for live shows, music stage, stalls and more, and of course there are street food stalls, cultural workshops and family fun in Chinatown and Leicester Square (12pm-6pm). All ages. From 11am (Sat) & 10am (Sun); FREE (Feb 1-2)
Sat-Sun: Orchids at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Every year, the Orchids festival brings hundreds of visitors to gorgeous Kew Gardens. This year, the focus is on Peru with magnificent horticultural displays and a chance to explore iconic spots like Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu. Look out for alpacas, flamingos or spectacled bears amongst the blooms! All ages welcome. Time slots available 11am-4pm (daily, from 12pm Mons); adult tickets from £20/child 4-15yrs from £5.50/family tickets from £6/under 4s FREE (Feb 1-Mar 2)
Sun: Megson Family Folk Show at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Pop along to Arts Depot for a fun live concert aimed at families with young kids. Folksters Megson are an award-winning team known for their catchy tunes and infectious harmonies. Hear new and classic kiddie folk from their When I was a Lad & Little Bird albums. Ages 0-8 and families. 11am & 2pm; from £12.75 (Feb 2)
Sun: Poppy and Sam’s Farmyard Tales Cafe Exhibition at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
Celebrate 40 years of Poppy and Sam’s Farmyard Tales with Usborne Books. A family favourite since 1985, the stories feature Curly the pig, Rusty the dog, Mrs Boot the farmer and of course Poppy and Sam. Check out the beautiful illustrations by Stephen Cartwright and look for farmyard animals around the cafe… keep an eye out for the Little Yellow Duck! Drop in to the First Floor cafe too. Ages 0-8. 10am-5pm; FREE with entry ticket adult or child £10/ages 1 £5/under 1s FREE (Feb 1-Mar 31)
We also like
The Lunar New Year Festival at Museum of London Docklands is SOLD OUT but some limited walk-ups might be available (Sat-Sun); Kiln Theatre’s new production of Sam Selvon’s classic novel The Lonely Londoners is also sold out this weekend but you can book ahead for select dates (playing Jan 29-Feb 22); it’s your last chance to see the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival (ends Sat); it’s also the final weekend to see the Southbank Centre’s outdoor illuminated artworks (ends Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Soft or Spiky for babies ages 6-18 months at Arts Depot, N12 (Feb 3)
- Stepping into Stories: Herne Hill Kids’ Lit Fest (Feb 4-9)
- Dickens in Doughty St: 100 Years of the Charles Dickens Museum, WC1N (Feb 5-Jun 29)
- Rug Rhymes at National Poetry Library, Southbank Centre (Feb 7-Mar 28)
- The Flight of Babushka Baboon at Puppet Theatre Barge, W9 (Feb 8-Mar 30)
- Family Workshop for Children with SEND at Royal Academy (Feb 9)
- Fly-Kid Family Rave at Pop Brixton (Feb 9)
- Whipped Up for ages 2 months to 2 years at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Feb 12-16)
- Flowers at Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea SW3 (Feb 12-May 5)
- The Robot Zoo at Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23 (Feb 14-Nov 2)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Arts Depot, N12 (Feb 15-20)
- Mudfest 2025 at London Wetland Centre, Barnes (Feb 15-23)
- The Wonderland Garden at Jacksons Lane (Feb 16)
- The Lion King exhibition at Battersea Power Station (Feb 17-23)
- Lunar New Year Family Day at Museum of the Home, E2 (Feb 18)
- Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Feb 18-23)
- Storytelling & Recycling Fun with Laura Henry Allain at Horniman Museum, SE23 (Feb 19)
- Trash at Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Feb 19-Mar 1)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Mar 14, May 16, Jun 20 & Jul 11)
- The Boy With Wings at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Jun 21-Aug 16)
**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!**