This weekend’s looking like a charmer weather-wise and of course there are lots of fun outings in London for families in the Weekend Scoop. I’ve handpicked ideas to get you and the kids experiencing the best that the city has to offer. Incredibly, May half term is coming up soon too, so keep an eye out for the bumper edition of the Babes About Town school holiday guide. Happy weekend!
12 Fun Outings in London for Families this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Northern Ballet: Jane Eyre at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The Charlotte Bronte classic is brought to the stage in this captivating ballet. Young Jane accepts a Governess role at Thornfield Hall, not knowing what will spark between her and brooding Mr Rochester… or what’s lurking in the shadows. Cathy Marston choreographs Northern Ballet dancers for an audience of ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). 7.30pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £15 (May 14-17)
Thu-Sun: Triwizard Tournament at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
This summer, go behind the scenes of The Making of Harry Potter and find out how they filmed the Triwizard Tournament. Learn how they shot underwater and created the Hungarian Horntail Dragon. Come celebrate 20 years since Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £56/child from £45/family £180/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (May 15-Sep 8)
Thu-Sun: Ikea Oxford Street, 538-540 Oxford Street, W1C 1LS (Oxford Circus tube)
After several delays, the long-anticipated Oxford St store opened this month. Two weeks in, it should be less frenzied and you might have more of a chance to explore its multiple floors of homewares, fashion, kids stuff and deli at your leisure. Meatballs please! All ages. 10am-8pm; FREE entry (ongoing)
Fri-Sun: Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Travel to new dimensions at the museum’s latest blockbuster exhibition. With more evidence than ever hinting that we’re not alone, this show will open your mind. Touch a morsel from Mars or a bite of the Moon and snap a selfie with the 4.567 billion year old Allende meteorite. All ages, best for life forms aged 8+. 10am-4.30pm daily; adult from £14-£16.50/child 4-17 £7-£8.25/under 4s FREE (May 16-Feb 22)
Fri-Sun: Story Explorers at British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail, Euston rail)
Go on a family friendly trip through the library in this specially designed experience for kids. Go beyond the books to discover objects with stories to tell across three imaginary worlds (space, jungle and ocean). There are reading corners, interactive elements, alien zines, braille and tactile editions, baby-changing and buggy park. Best for ages 2-9 and parent/carer but all ages welcome. NB: Tickets are selling out superfast but keep an eye out for returns and upcoming dates! Time slots from 9.30am; FREE but pre-booking essential (May 16-Jan 18)
Fri-Sun: Planet Play at Chickenshed, Rayne Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE (Cockfosters tube)
There’s no edge of the stage in this magical experience for the youngest audiences. The popular Planet Play series takes place annually and is created by the Tales from the Shed team. It includes singing and rhyme time and playful activities designed to enhance communication, listening and bonding. Ages 0-3 and parent/carer. 10am (Fris weekly, and Sat Jul 26); adult £10/child FREE (May 16-23 & Jul 4-26)
Sat: Hampstead Heath Walk and Family Fun Day at Maggie’s Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, NW3 2PF (Hampstead Heath overground/Belsize Park tube)
Rally your family and friends to raise vital funds for Maggie’s London. Even if you don’t participate in the walk, you can still add to the pot with a small donation at Maggie’s Royal Free centre, where there’s crafting, face painting and refreshments. All ages. 8.30am-2pm; adult registration free £15/under 18s go FREE on the walk and each ticket includes a free t-shirt. Max 2 kids per adult. (May 17)
Sat: Barbican Family Film Club: Mary and the Witch’s Flower, at Barbican Cinema 2, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
When Mary finds a flying broomstick in the woods, she discovers a world of magic with Madame Bumblechook’s school, sinister Doctor Dee’s special technologies, and her own special powers. Based on Mary Stewart’s children’s book The Little Broomstick, this animated film from Studio Ghibli’s Hiromasa ‘Maro’ Yonebayashi is a timely reminder about looking after the planet, and each other. Rated U. NB: no unaccompanied adults or kids. 11am; adult £5/child £2.50 (May 17)
Sat: Nakba 77 Solidarity March, Embankment Tube, London, WC2N 6NS (Embankment tube)
Walk with thousands from across the country, from of all ages, backgrounds and faiths (this always includes a loud and proud block of Jewish marchers, despite what the naysayers might tell you). Show your support for the people of Gaza, for peace in the region and an end to the horrors. On the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, our solidarity has never been more urgent. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm; FREE (May 17)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish x Camp Bestival Ealing Family Rave at The Drayton Court Hotel, 2 The Avenue, W13 8PH (West Ealing tube, Ealing tube/rail/overground)
Join the BFLF x Camp Bestival warmup tour and one lucky raver can win a family ticket to the festival (worth over £1,000)! Party with DJ Zero B, play at Wheadon’s Wacky craft tables and make memories with your youngsters. Dress code: mermaids, pirates or anything sea-worthy. BFLF raves come with licensed bar, face painting (separate fee), bubbles, balloons, foam and parachute dance finale. Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child £9/pre-walkers FREE (May 17)
Sun: Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula, 1 Green Place, SE10 0PE (North Greenwich tube)
It’s back! The popular festival of free outdoor arts and culture takes over Greenwich again. This year it’s their 10th birthday and you’re invited for family activities, Allympics and printing your own merch, big sounds with Kinetica Bloco, Charity Shop DJ sets, book swaps, talks, dance workshops, massages, pop-up theatre, food and drinks stalls, market and DJs eg Gilles Peterson and Touching Bass. Simply travelling to and around Greenwich can be an adventure for kids as they can board a Thames Clipper boat, hop on a driverless Dockland Lights Railway train, or ‘fly’ on the cable car! All ages. Fete is open from 11am-late; FREE entry (May 18)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish x Camp Bestival Pyjama Party Family Rave at Fox & Firkin, 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ (Ladywell rail)
Enter this amazing venue for a pyjama party to remember. Hardcore Uproar and original raver DJ Suddi Raval spins the tunes to get you and your minis moving. BFLF raves include licensed bar, face painting (separate fee), bubbles, balloons, foam and parachute dance finale. This event is part of the BFLF x Camp Bestival warmup tour – win a family ticket to the festival (worth over £1,000)! Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child £9/pre-walkers FREE (May 18)
We also like
Tickets are now on sale for Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (general sale opens Thu); doll lovers converge for the Kensington Dollshouse Festival at Kensington Town Hall (Fri & Sat); catch The Wild Robot (U) at Herne Hill Free Film Festival (Sat); there’s still lots on including family fun at the final weekend of Dulwich Festival (until Sun); and Chelsea in Bloom, London’s largest free flower festival, kicks off on Monday (May 19-25)
Booking Ahead
- Rembrandt Van Wine Sip & Paint: Neon Taylor Swift Night (for grownups) at Islington Studios, N19 (May 17)
- Gianni Versace Retrospective at Arches London Bridge (presale May 20, public on-sale May 21, exhibition Jul 16)
- Chelsea Flower Show, SW3 (May 20-24)
- Moomin 80: The Door is Always Open at Southbank Centre SE1 (May 23-Jun 1)
- This Is My Family at Southwark Playhouse, SE11 (May 23-Jul 12)
- The Vanishing Forest at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (May 24-Jun 1)
- I See You Like This exhibition at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 24-Jul 31)
- Let’s Get Creative: Birds and Painting at Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham TW1 (May 26)
- Grooving with Pirates at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (May 27-28)
- V&A Families Festival at V&A Museum, SW7 (May 31)
- Earthfest at King’s Cross, N1C (Jun 5-8)
- Serpentine Pavilion 2025 by Marina Tabassum at Serpentine Gallery, SW7 (Jun 6-Oct 26)
- Helios at Osterley Park and House, TW7 (Jun 6-10 & Jul 11-14)
- Bring Your Own Baby Daytime Comedy at Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (Jun 9)
- Richmond Arts & Ideas Festival (Jun 13-29)
- One Way Out at Brixton House, SW9 (Jun 18-Jul 5)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (May 16, Jun 20 & Jul 11)
- The Boy With Wings at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Jun 21-Aug 16)
- Jacksons Lane 50th Birthday Party at Jacksons Lane, N6 (Jun 28)
- Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, N1C (Jul 9-Nov 2)
- Children’s Puppet Festival at Little Angel Theatre, N1 (Jul 28-Aug 31)
- Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (official previews from Nov 1)
- Punchdrunk Enrichment World Premiere: Fireside Tales, Wembley Park (Dec 6-Jan 4)
The May Half Term Guide is out next week!
**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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