Happy October! This might be the busiest month of the year with Black History Month, Half Term, Halloween, Diwali, and on a personal note I’ve got my cousin’s 50th birthday, my mother-in-law’s 80th and our 20th wedding anniversary. Phew! We’re starting off right with a bounty of family fun outings in London this weekend. Playful theatre, thought-provoking events, exciting exhibitions, storytelling, and some invitations to just chill out with your children. Enjoy!
13 Thrilling Family Fun Outings in London this Weekend
Thu-Sun: More Than Human at Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington tube)
LAST CHANCE: Explore how human design has helped the planet and its inhabitants thrive and survive. This major exhibition spans product design, fashion, art, architecture and interactive installations. All ages. Entry slots 10am-4.45pm daily; adult £14.38-£16/child £7.19-£8/concs £10.77-£12/family from £30.56/under 6s FREE (Oct 5)
Fri-Sun: Anansi the Spider at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Back by popular demand, Unicorn Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Anansi the Spider features West African and Caribbean folklore, respun for a modern audience. Ages 4-8. 11am or 2pm (Tue-Sun); adult £18.50-£26.50/child £16.50-£20.50
Sat: The Great Alien Hunt at Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BS (Green Park tube)
Author and astronomer Matt Bothwell leads a hunt for signs of life outside Earth. You’ll explore other solar systems, visiting Jupiter’s moons and planets made of lava. The big question: are we alone? Matt will stick around after to sign his latest book Astrophysics for Supervillains 2: The Great Alien Hunt. All ages welcome, under 13s must be accompanied by an adult. 2.30pm-3.45pm; adult £16/child £10/RI members £7/under 4s FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Here Comes Gudong at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/overground)
An eco-conscious adventure following the mysterious “Gudong!” sound across lands and legends. This imaginative kids’ show by an award-winning company blends Chinese and British folklore using puppetry, video and a hint of magic. Ages 3+ (younger ones welcome). 11am & 1pm; £10/babes-in-arms FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Free Family Fun Day at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse rail/DLR)
There’s no need to book at this free family gathering, part of the weekend’s celebration of Fun Palaces. Come for music and movement, arts and crafts, pop-up storytelling, tea, cake and some more surprises. All ages welcome. 10am-4pm; FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Storytelling with Hannah Lee at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Ahead of the Ballroom Wind-Down (see below), come and hang with writer Hannah Lee and illustrator Allen Fatimaharan (My Hair, The Rapping Princess) at this live storytelling and illustration session. Ages 5-11. 1.30pm; FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Ballroom Wind-Down at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Drop in for this monthly session in The Clore Ballroom, where families can try their hands at arts and crafts, catch a performance, meet artists, and play with other families and kids. All ages welcome (under 12s must be accompanied by an adult). 2.45pm; FREE (Oct 4)
Sat: Family Film Club: SAILFest: Nikhil and Jay with Chitra Soundar + Pre Film Workshop at Barbican Cinema 2, Barbican Centre, Beech Street EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Join a screening of 4 special episodes of Nikhil & Jay, chosen by author/creator Chitra Soundar. There’s also a pre-screening art activity led by SAILFest with illustrator, Rikin Parekh (Fly Tiger Fly!, Iguana Boy Saves the World With a Triple Cheese Pizza) and post-screening chat and book signing with Chitra. NB: no unaccompanied adults or kids. Workshop 9.45am (Cinema Cafe), screening 11am; adult £5/child £2.50 (Oct 4)
Sat-Sun: Dweeb-A-Mania at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Meet mega-nerds Kemi and Norah who launch a plan to become champion wrestlers, crash popular boy Bentley’s party, and prove they’re far from dweebs. This punch new comedy has body slams, flying kicks and barbecued chickens! Ages 8-13. Various dates and times from this weekend at 2.30pm (Sat) & 11.30am & 2.30pm (Sun); adult or child from £14/previews from £11/concs £12/babe-in-arms £1 (Oct 4-Nov 9)
Sat-Sun: Welcome Space at National Gallery (Roden Centre for Creative Learning), Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Bring your brood along to these weekend and school holiday events. Families are invited to explore paintings, try drawing prompts, dress up, build, and dive into play boxes and resources designed by artists. Baby changing, lockers and buggy park available. 10am-6pm; FREE (drop-in) (ongoing)
Sat-Sun: Black Culture Market, The Department Store (Downstairs), 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton SW9 8FR (Brixton tube)
It’s the autumn edition of the Black Culture Market. Head to Brixton to kick off Black History Month with discovering and supporting small Black owned businesses. Shop for homewares, prints, gifts, fashion, books, jewellery, natural hair and skincare. Don’t miss out on the food! All ages welcome. 11am-5pm; FREE but advanced registration recommended (Oct 4-5)
Sun: Rock and Rhyme at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Take your kid to their first live gig at this high-energy show from poet/performer Arji Manuelpillai and jazz/rock guitarist Matt Smith. Jam along to hits like Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald and Sleeping Bunnies, all with some extra rapping and rocking out. Ages 0-5 and grownups. 11am & 2pm; £13.75 (Oct 5)
Sun: Fulham Palace Apple Day at Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube/Putney rail)
The seasonal celebration returns to Fulham Palace. Pick the best of the orchard harvest, wander around the market, join in with family activities + tombola, baking contest and more. All ages. 11am-4pm; adult £3/child £1/babies under 1 FREE (Oct 5)
We also like
The Soon Life is a bold new play exploring childbirth at Southwark Playhouse (Thu-Sun, until Oct 19); futuristic sci-fi worlds at The Future Was Then exhibition at Cartoon Museum (opens Sat); there’s a Black British Folk Takeover at Cecil Sharp House in Chalk Farm (Sat); watch Moana 2 at Free Film Festivals in Streatham (Sat); get Halloween vibes early at WB Studio Tour’s Dark Arts (ongoing until Nov 9); and Wandsworth Borough of Culture launches Black History 365 events for a 3rd year (through October and ongoing)
Booking Ahead
- Power of Play: Active Stay and Play at Rich Mix, E1 (Oct 7-Nov 25)
- 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)
- The Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall (Oct 15-19)
- 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)
- Chiswick Cheese Market (Oct 19 & every 3rd Sunday)
- Little M: A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid at The Place, WC1 (Oct 24-25)
- James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks at Museum of Comedy (Oct 25-26)
- Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves in Hackney (Oct 26), Deptford (Nov 1) & Ealing (Nov 2)
- FUN DMC at Royal Albert Hall (Oct 28)
- 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)
- How To Train Your Dragon in Concert at Royal Albert Hall (Nov 2)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Nov 2, Dec 31)
- Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves in Balham (Nov 15), Wood Green (Nov 23) & New Cross (Dec 31)
- WOW Presents An Evening with Jordan Stephens and Friends at Shoreditch Town Hall (Nov 15)
- 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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