Musical theatre, Shakespeare’s dream, a riverside festival, a boogie for tots, family magic and more. The Weekend Scoop for culture loving kids is back with 13 thrilling family weekend activities in London to keep everyone engaged.
Huge congrats to Brogen Murphy, author of Wildlands, who was announced at the awards ceremony yesterday as winner of the Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction. It’s a brilliant read and I was honoured to be Judging Chair on the fantastic panel this year! Shout outs to the rest of the shortlisted authors, especially Kengo Kurimoto who earned our Highly Commended award for his beautiful book, Wildful.
It was also a pleasure to cheer on the overall winners, debut author Chloe Dalton who won the 2025 Wainwright Prize Book of the Year for Raising Hare. And another debut author Lanisha Butterfield along with illustrator Hoang Giang who won the 2025 Wainwright Children’s Prize Book of the Year for their gorgeous picture book Flower Block.
Congratulations also to my friend and superstar influencer Vicki Broadbent aka Honest Mum whose first children’s book Greek Myths is out today. I can’t wait to read my copy and I’ll have one to give away along with more bookish goodies coming up so keep an eye on the blog and my Instagram @babesabouttown!
13 Thrilling Family Weekend Activities in London
Thu-Sat: The Harder They Come Musical at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
One for teens and adults, this musical is based on the cult film starring Jimmy Cliff. It follows aspiring reggae singer Ivan who comes to Kingston, Jamaica in the 1970s to chase his dreams but winds up on the wrong side of the law. Adapted by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winnerSuzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess) and directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia (Tambo & Bones, Skeleton Crew), this show features brand new songs along with Jimmy Cliff’s hits like “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross”. Ages 14+ (content warnings). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat); from £6-£50.50 (Sep 13-Oct 25)
Thu-Sat: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1 6BD (Elephant & Castle tube)
We absolutely loved the last production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream we watched and here’s another adaptation to enchant and delight. Fairies making mischief, couples losing the plot and a man who turns into a donkey are all on the menu in this 90 minute revival of one of Shakespeare’s funniest plays. Ages 8+. 7pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat); standard £20/previews & concs £16/family £75 (Sep 5-27)
Thu-Sun: Totally Thames Festival, multiple locations along the River Thames and surrounding areas
The month-long celebration of London’s artery continues with highlights this weekend including the Kid’s Choir and Sing for Water at The Scoop at More London. You can also see the River of Hope exhibition, join the Clean Thames Challenge, or keep up with other events including boating, workshops, talks and more. Find the full programme HERE. Various ages, times, dates and prices; many activities are FREE (Sep 1-30)
Thu-Sun: Purpose of Light: A Testament to Solidarity at Hope 93 Gallery, 54 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8EF (Oxford Circus tube)
This week is Open House Festival, a London-wide event that opens up the city’s buildings, neighbourhoods and special sites. Take the opportunity to visit photographer and cultural powerhouse Misan Harriman’s bold, unflinching and empathetic new exhibition. Featuring 110 photos bearing witness to injustice, grief and collective action, the exhibition is a call for togetherness, not division. All ages. 10am-6pm (Tue-Fri) & 11am-6pm (Sat); FREE entry (until Oct 30)
Sat: Relaxed Sessions with Tasnim Mahdy at The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Start your weekend at this sensory adapted space for children and families. Multidisciplinary artist Tasnim Mahdy leads the session focused on collaborative mural-making, collage, cut-outs and movement. There’s a General Session a bit later and then stick around for the Toasty Tots party (see below). Relaxed Session for ages 5+ at 11am; General Session for ages 5-11 at 1.30pm; all FREE (Sep 13)
Sat: Ballroom Boogie x Toasty Tots XL, The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Born N Bread presents Toasty Tots XL, a dance party for every groover in your group. Co-founded by three mums, Toasty Tots! is an inclusive hangout for parents, carers and their tots for dancing, vibing, creating and unwinding. Toasty Tots XL is the big kid edition for 5–11 year-olds (and their grown-ups). Join in! 2.45pm; FREE (Sep 13 & Nov 8)
Sat-Sun: Somerset House Birthday Weekend at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Somerset House celebrates its 25th birthday with an open weekend of free, family-friendly activities. It includes creative workshops e.g. illustrating Snoopy’s next adventure with the Peanuts Gang, basketball or chess with Play Ground, workshops and food in the courtyard, behind the scenes looks and more. All ages. 10am-6pm; FREE (Sep 13-14)
Sun: The Family Magic Show at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
The Great Baldini also known as “The Emperor of Illusion” presents a madcap show, co-starring his dog, Baldwin. It traces their partnership through puppetry, escapology and magic. All ages. 11am & 2pm; from £14 (Sep 14)
Sun: The Zoo that Comes to You at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Two animal enthusiasts bring their puppet sanctuary to Arts Depot where viewers can hear the animal’s life stories and the challenges they face in today’s world. With live music and cheeky characters, Scarlet Oak Theatre invites an open chat about animal conservation. Ages 5+. 11am & 2pm; from £13.75 (Sep 14)
Sun: Fly-Kid Rave at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
Every second Sunday of the month, the Fly-Kid crew takes over Pop Brixton with BBC1xtra’s Emily Rawson (Supa Dupa Fly) and her pals turning up the old school, pop, soul and R&B classics. There are street dance lessons, dance battles, games, confetti, face painting (optional), props and good vibes. Food and drink on offer. Tables available for groups of 10+ (book ahead: email flykid@supadupaflylove.com). Open to families with kids and babies of all ages. 11am-3pm; adult from £11/child from £6/family from £29/babies under 1 FREE (Sep 14)
Sun: Culture Workers Against Genocide rally, starting at Royal Opera House, WC2E (Covent Garden tube)
Meet at Royal Opera House to join the Culture Workers March for Palestine to challenge the silencing of our right to protest and the UK’s complicity in genocide. This is a family friendly march to Downing Street. All ages. From 12pm, FREE (Sep 14)
Coming up mid-week: Take part in the national Trump Not Welcome protest (Sep 17)
Sun: 50 First Dates at The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA (Victoria tube/rail, St James’ Park tube)
I absolutely love this movie and now it’s a stage musical, directed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). It’s about a marine biologist who falls for a woman with short term memory issues. Funny, warm and truly romantic. Best for ages 12+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat) & 3pm (Sun); from £35-£79.50 (Sep 14-Nov 16)
Sun: Comedy Club 4 Kids at Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, Clifton Terrace, N4 3JP (Finsbury Park tube)
Chortle with your cheeky ones at this thigh-slapping event designed for younger audiences. The popular standup series features comedians who are well known from the late night circuits cracking jokes with (most of) the rude bits let out. Ages 6+ and grownups. 3pm; £15 (Sep 14)
Booking Ahead
- Baby, Bird & Bee at Polka Theatre (Sep 17-21)
- Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern (Sep 17-Apr 12)
- Marie Antoinette Style at V&A Museum (from Sep 20)
- How the Light Gets In Festival returns to Kenwood House (Sep 20-21)
- Counting Sheeps at The Albany (Sep 21)
- We’re Gonna Change the World at Royal Albert Hall (Sep 21)
- Railway 200 opening, nationwide (Sep 27)
- Family Threads exhibition at Horniman Museum (Sep 27-Nov 30)
- Big Fish Little Fish Ultimate Family Rave at Fabric (Sep 28)
- How Does It Feel To Be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (Sep 28)
- Free Family Fun Day at Half Moon Theatre (Oct 4)
- Apple Day at Fulham Palace (Oct 5)
- Fly-Kid Family Rave with MC Grammar at Outernet, WC2 (Oct 11)
- Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square (Oct 12)
- Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Oct 12)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Oct 17, Nov 15 & Dec 6)
- Bloomsbury Festival, WC2 (Oct 17-19)
- Black Lives in Music 5th Anniversary with DJ Spoony at Kings Place (Oct 18)
- Little M: A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid at The Place, WC1 (Oct 24-25)
- Judith Kerr’s Mog The Forgetful Cat at Southbank Centre (Oct 29-Nov 2)
- Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (official previews from Nov 1)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Nov 2, Dec 31)
- Sisters of Soul: Celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald at Kings Place (Nov 16)
- Zootropolis 2 (out Nov 28)
- Fireside Tales Punchdrunk Enrichment in Brent, HA9 (Dec 6-Jan 4)
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**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
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