Happy World Book Day. 2026 is also the National Year of Reading, a government-driven initiative to enhance reading for pleasure among children, families and frankly anybody who loves to lose (and find) themselves between the pages of a book. This London kids and families weekend digest features some book-related fun, as well as activities inspired by storytellers: from a screening of Beauty and the Beast to a live theatre adaptation of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Stories make our world go round. Here’s to more bookish adventures for all Babes About Town!
Meet Me at Forthwrite Festival!
Sat: Forthwrite Festival @ The Old Courtroom, 118 Church St, BN1 1UD (Brighton rail)
Will you be joining us in Brighton this Saturday for the 2nd annual edition of Forthwrite Festival? This literary festival for established (and aspiring) women writers over 50 has an incredible lineup. All panel tickets are SOLD OUT however you can still take part in free workshops and positive vibes. I’ll be chairing a panel on Writing from Experience (2pm-3.30pm, Sat) with writers Diana Anyakwo, Holly Dawson and Priscilla Morris. Find out more at https://forthwrite.uk (Mar 7)
Your London Kids and Families Weekend Digest
Thu: Dear Zoo at Little Lyric, Lyric Square, King St, W6 0QL (Hammersmith tube/overground)
Rod Campbell’s lift the flap book has sold more than 8 million copies so it’s probably safe to say your child will enjoy the stage version. See the characters write to the zoo and wait for their delivery. Will it be a jumpy frog, a cheeky monkey, a perfect pup? Music, storytelling, puppetry and audience interaction for ages 2+. 11am, 1pm & 4pm; £15-£25 (Mar 2-5)
Thu-Fri: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Back by popular demand, Eric Carle’s caterpillar crawls onto the stage with a menagerie of 75 puppets. This vibrant show revolves around the popular picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, along with three more Carle titles (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider). For ages 2-7, younger ones welcome. 2pm & 4pm (Thu), 11am, 2pm & 4pm (Fri); from £15 (Mar 5-6)
Thu-Sun: Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Spend a day behind the scenes with the famous Aardman studio which turns 50 this year. To mark the occasion, they’re showing fans how beloved characters like Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and others are brought to the screen through stop motion animation. All ages. 10am-4.30pm daily; £11 (until Nov 15)
Thu-Sun: toooB at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Meet toooB, a shape-shifting creature trying to figure out this planet. This delightful, wordless performance offers sensory fun with a performer costumed inside a giant caterpillar-like tunnel. Clever manipulations and a lively soundtrack create an enchanting, interactive performance for ages 6-24 months. 20 minutes plus stay and play. 10am, 12pm & 3pm; from £26 – NB: it’s now SOLD OUT but you can join the waiting list via 020 8543 4888 or boxoffice@polkatheatre.com (until Mar 8)
Fri: Astronights Family Sleepover at Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
Hurry, hurry. These family sleepover events typically sell out weeks in advance but at the time of writing this post, you can still book a night at the museum. You’ll have a space-themed evening with workshops, interactive shows and a family trail. Roam the galleries after dark, tuck in and wake up to a delicious breakfast. Ages 7-11 and grownup (max 6 kids per adult aged 18+). 6.45pm; £80 standard/£120 VIP (Mar 6 & 13, Apr 24, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 10)
Fri: Baby Knees Up at Big Penny Social, Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
O’ight Guvnor! Tom Carradine is back at Big Penny Social, hosting another East End knees up. He’ll be playing Cockney tunes to get you and your duckies doing the ‘Lambeth Walk’, marching blow-up bananas ‘Down the Strand’, plus bubbles, puppets and more. Ages 0-100. 11am; adult £13.50/child FREE (Mar 6)
Sat: LGBTQ+ Family Network at National Maritime Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Ahoy maties! Sail up to the NMM for another gathering of LGBTQ+ families in a safe space. Drop in with your crew and take part in artist-led activities inspired by Greenwich, the maritime world, and LGBTQ+ legacies. A great spot to mix and get to know other families in your area. All ages. 11am-1pm; FREE (Mar 7 & May 16)
Sat: Beauty and the Beast (Animated) at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Tale as old as time… see the swoon-worthy Disney animation based on the classic novel. Book-loving Belle is sent to live with a reclusive beast whose castle is under a spell. What happens when the beauty and the beast fall in love? A stunning blend of traditional and CGI animation, this was the first full-length animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Rated U. 12pm; £4-£8 (Mar 7)
Sat: Hamnet at Charlotte St Hotel, 15-17 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RJ (Goodge St/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Scooping up awards left right and centre, this film based on the novel (and stage play) by Maggie O’Farrell focuses on William Shakespeare, his wife Agnes Hathaway and the death of their 11-year-old boy Hamnet, the inspiration behind the classic tragedy Hamlet. Starring Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Zac Wishart. Pack all the tissues. Rated 12A. Film only £25pp or splash out on a 3-course menu or afternoon tea £55pp, add champagne for £65pp! 3pm; £25-£65 (all tickets include popcorn) (Mar 7)
Sun: Brave Bettie at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Bettie is a wild child who feels most at home in the forest. So when the local council plans to cut down her favourite tree, Bettie and hew new friend Paida Moyo must fight to protect it. Written by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai, this woodland adventure mixes poetry, songs , storytelling and activism inspired by the author’s Zimbabwean heritage. Ages 3-8. 11am & 2pm; £14 (Mar 8)
Sun: Fly-Kid Family Rave at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
Get ready to bust a move with the Supa Dupa Fly crew. BBC1xtra’s Emily Rawson and her mates get the party pumping with old school hip hop, R&B, pop and soul grooves for all ages. Come for street dance lessons, dance battles, games, confetti, themed face painting (optional), props and more. 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 (Mar 8)
We also like
See the Piccadilly Lights illuminated for Ramadan (ongoing); join authors Bernadine Evaristo, Andi Oliver, Joy Francis and Yvette Edwards for Black Women Speaking Volumes at British Library (Fri); pop into Kings Place N1 for Jewish Book Week (until Sun); browse for a new piece for your home at The Other Art Fair in Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch (until Sun); throw coloured powders to celebrate Holi at this annual festival (Sun); thirsty for hot hockey stars? The Heated Rivalry chat with author Rachel Reid is sold out but you can tune into the livestream for £8 (Sun); and there’s still time to catch Orchids at Kew (ends Sun)
Booking Ahead
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Mar 13, Apr 24, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 10)
- Big Fish Little Fish Mother’s Day Family Rave at Peckham Levels, SE15 (Mar 15)
- St Patrick’s Day Family Party at Big Penny Social, E17 (Mar 15)
- Star Trek at 60 at Science Museum, SW7 (Mar 26-Sep 8)
- Astronomers Take Over at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (from Mar 27)
- Family Fun Day: Spectacular Space! at Royal Institution, W1 (Mar 28)
- Black History Bus Tour, from Brixton across London (Mar 29)
- Family Wildlife Drawing Easter Special at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 (Mar 29)
- Unboxing the Universe at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (from Apr 3)
- Easter Family Disco at Big Penny Social, E17 (Apr 5)
- Ideal Home Show at Olympia London (Apr 10-19)
- World’s Greatest Lover: The Musical at The Other Palace (Apr 12-Jun 7)
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at Soho Place (Apr 25-Jul 18)
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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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (February 26-Mar 1, 2026)
