Welcome to the first official Babes About Town London Kids Weekend Scoop of January 2026. I’ve handpicked 12+ cultural activities for Londoners and London visitors with children of all ages.
From film screenings to theatre, outdoor experiences to storytelling festivals, along with a family ceilidh, a family disco and a family rave, there’s something for every taste. Don’t forget to SIGN UP to get the Scoop in your inbox every week!
12 Unmissable London Family Activities this Weekend
Thu-Sun: The Voice of Hind Rajab at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
We will never forget her voice or her story. Now you can watch Oscar nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s moving, devastating film about 6-year-old Hind Rajab. The little girl who called for help, surrounded by dead bodies, as she hid from Israeli tanks. This film got a 23 minute standing ovation on its premiere at Venice Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize. It is a plea for humanity and empathy, for justice and accountability, and also for hope. These stories break our hearts but as parents, we cannot afford to look away. The Voice of Hind Rajab is also playing at cinemas around the UK and on streaming platforms. Rated 15. Various showtimes; £8.50 (until Jan 29)
Thu-Sun: The Snowflake at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: Benji Davies’ timeless Christmas tale wraps up the festive season at Polka. Catch this tale of a little girl, her Pappie and a snowflake all search for their own special place in the world.Ages 3-6. Various shows from 10am; from £16 + £2.50 fee (until Jan 25)
Thu-Sun: Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Extended until March! Rewind to the prehistoric era at this thrilling, multi-level and multi-sensory experience delving into the lives of dinosaurs. Actor Damian Lewis narrates as you watch giant projections of CGI creatures stalking across 360 screen. I features scenes from the Apple TV+ Emmy award nominated series alongside new audio and storytelling. Great fun for dino lovers of all ages. 10am-4.30pm (50 minute timed shows, you’re welcome to stay longer); adult from £25/child 3-18 from £15/under 3s FREE before 6pm (until Mar 8)
Thu-Sun: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, Canada Square Park and around Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
Canary Wharf is all lit up once again with 16 stunning light installations by global artists. This year’s theme is Dreamscape exploring the ethereal, the surreal, and the uniquely human. Weekends tend to get busy though so consider a week day trip too. All ages. 5pm-10pm daily, FREE (Jan 20-31)
Thu-Sun: A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly/Leicester Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Old Scrooge gets put through the paces in another madcap comedy hit from Mischief. See Charles Dickens’ story turned inside and out in a hilarious show ages 8+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 7pm (Sun), 2.30pm (Sat-Sun); from £20 (until Jan 26)
Fri: Home Education Day at Horniman Museum (Education Centre), 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Come to Horniman for another day of learning and activities for home educated kids. Explore objects in the museum’s handling collection, take part in workshops, go behind the scenes at the Aquarium and enjoy exclusive time in the Education Centre. Ages 5+ and families. Various times from 11am-3pm; workshop ticket £9/drop-in ticket £7 (Jan 23)
Sat: Story Festival at Young V&A Museum, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green/Mile End tube)
There’s a huge line-up at this free family story festival. Catch the legendary Mrs H and the Sing-along Band in the Town Square (11.30am & 1.30pm), Ceyda Tanc Dance x Theatre Fideri Fidera (12.30pm & 2.30pm), Chickenshed Theatre in the Community Room (11am, 12.30pm & 2pm). There’s also puppet encounters with Little Angel Theatre, storytelling from Freshwater Theatre, sensory storytelling, building characters in Open Studio and more. All ages. 11am-3pm; FREE (Jan 24)
Sat-Sun: Family Burns Night Ceilidh at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
Celebrate Burns Night at this family friendly ceilidh with Sassenachs guiding you through the steps for traditional Scottish dances. There’ll be a live band, haggis, bagpipes, and whiskey for the grown ups! All ages welcome. Doors 1.30pm, event 2-3.30pm; £8.50 (all guests aged 3+ require a ticket). Tables available first come, first served (Jan 24-25)
Sat-Sun: Magical Mischief, WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Visit the Harry Potter movie studio tour and experience some of the wizardry behind the scenes. You can hide under an Invisibility Cloak, take OWL exams, and watch out for the Weasley twins’ pranks! All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £58.50/child 5-15 from £47/family discounts available/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Jan 24-Apr 27)
Sun: Kid Carpet & the Noisy Animals present: Jack and the Beanstalk (Sort Of) at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Kid Carpet hates panto but the Noisy Animals are big fans so guess what? They’re doing a panto, but this is Jack and the Beanstalk like you’ve never seen it. Think dodgy celeb lookalikes, air guitar, surprise grannies, songs and silliness. Perfect for party monsters ages 3-10 and their grownups. 11am & 2pm; £14 (Jan 25)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Fabric, 77A Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ (Farringdon tube/rail)
Grab your mini ravers for another big night out at clubbing haven Fabric. DJs Pendulum’s Perry and Toshiki Ohta will spin house, bass and techno and you can expect all the usual BFLF party staples (crafting, face painting, bubbles and balloons, parachute dance, and licensed bar). Ages 0-8 and grownups. 2pm-4.30pm; adult £15.02/child £11.86/pre-walking infant FREE (Jan 25)
Sun: How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Dance away the January blues as this popular family disco, kicking off their monthly series for 2026. You’ll groove to classic pop, soul, indie and funk spun by live DJs. All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm; adult £7 (15 plus), child £3 (14 and under) (Jan 25)
We also like
Dip into saunas and hot tubs at Slomo Spa at King’s Cross (Thu-Sun); don’t miss the playful Priest: Paper Cut exhibition at Saatchi Gallery (Thu-Sun); The Art of Doodling offers free workshops at Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre (Sat); the World of Wasps exhibition is closing at Grant Museum of Zoology (until Sat); it’s also your last chance to see these 9 prints by artist Uzo Egonu at Museum of the Home (until Sun); and with Iran in the spotlight, the Daughters of Persia musical event will illuminate its history at Kings Place, N1 (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Planetarium Go! at Battersea Power Station (Jan 30-Mar 1)
- Touretteshero: Return of the Rebels at Whitechapel Gallery, E1 (Feb 14)
- Lunar New Year at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Feb 21)
- Lunar New Year Festival at London Museum Docklands, E14 (Feb 21-22)
- Chinese Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (Feb 22)
- You Are The Sun: A Very First Opera for 0-2 Years at Jacksons Lane, N6 (Feb 25)
- Black Culture Market at The Department Store, Brixton SW9 (Feb 28 & Mar 1)
- Ramses and the Pharoah’s Gold Exhibition at Neon, Battersea Power Station, SW11 (Feb 28-May 31)
- Big Fish Little Fish Mother’s Day Family Rave at Peckham Levels, SE15 (Mar 15)
- Family Fun Day: Spectacular Space! at Royal Institution, W1 (Mar 28)
- Black History Bus Tour, from Brixton across London (Mar 29)
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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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