So the weather turned quite dramatically yesterday, after an unseasonably warm start to the autumn. Still, no need to dampen your mood when there are so many lovely kid-friendly London activities this weekend. As always, I’ve curated the best of what’s to offer for children and families of all ages. Read on!
12 Lovely Kid-Friendly London Activities this Weekend
Thu: The Nature of Forgetting at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central overground)
Having played to packed houses internationally, this poignant show follows Tom, preparing for his 55th birthday party while grappling with young onset dementia. Both moving and life-affirming, it’s non-verbal theatre with music and visual performance created with neuroscience Professor Kate Jeffery and the Alzheimer’s Society. Ages 8+. 7.30pm; from £15-£32 (Oct 8)
Thu-Sun: The 90s at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico tube, Vauxhall tube/rail)
The ‘90s summer might be over but Cool Britannia is fully back in fashion. Don’t miss this nostalgic exhibition, curated by former Vogue editor Edward Enninful OBE. (Re)discover ‘90s fashion, art, design and photography through the lenses of generational talents like Steve McQueen, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Yinka Shonibare, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano. All ages. 10am-6pm daily, Relaxed Hours every 3rd Wed 10am-11am; adult from £22/child 12-18 £5/under 12s and members FREE (Oct 8-Feb 14)
Thu-Sun: Julian is a Mermaid at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Enter a world of colourful mermaids and joyful self-expression in this 20-minute immersive storytelling adaptation of Jessica Love’s picture book. Then stay for 10 minutes of family dress up and dance. A celebration of being your unique self and accepting others as they are. Ages 0-5. 11.35am, 12.35pm & 2.35pm (daily); included in admission: adult or child age 1+ £11 or from £19 annual/Newham residents £9.90 or from £17 annual/babies under 1 FREE (until Oct 18)
Fri: Black Panther in Concert with Chineke! Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
Watch the fantastic, groundbreaking Marvel superhero movie Black Panther with accompaniment from the Black and ethnically diverse Chineke! Orchestra conducted by Damon Gupton. Also playing will be talking drum soloist Massamba Diop (as featured on the film’s original soundtrack). Relive the drama of T’Challa battling Killmonger in Wakanda set to Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar and Grammy-winning score performed live! Age rating 12A. 6.30pm doors/7.30pm start; £70-£90 (Oct 9)
Sat: The B.A.D. Fairy’s Book Spell: 100 Hidden Stories at Valence House Museum, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 3HT (Chadwell Heath rail/Becontree tube)
Adults and kids are invited for a free “Blind Date with a Book” hunt by the Barking and Dagenham Fairy, marking World Mental Health Day on October 10. Valence House’s resident mischief-maker has wrapped and stashed 100 books around the museum to kick off a reading revolution as part of National Literacy Trust’s #Take10ToRead campaign. Dodge the Curateor, find a mystery genre, and curl up for 10 minutes with your new read (1 book per hunter only). All ages. 10am-12pm & 1pm-4pm; FREE (Oct 10)
Sat: Ankara Festival, Porchester Hall, Porchester Road, Bayswater, W2 5HS (Bayswater/Royal Oak tube)
Leave the babes at home and enjoy an evening out at this celebration of culture where they’ll be marking Nigerian Independence and Black History Month under one roof. From an awards presentation to an African fashion runway, plus live artists and DJs, and authentic cuisine, it promises to be a night to remember. Dress code: Ankara Glam/Traditional Excellence. 6pm-late; from £22.50-£500 VIP tables (Oct 10)
Sat: TALES We Tell: Little Echo at TALES House London By Bellafricana, 28 Cavendish Square, W1G 0DB (Oxford Circus tube)Bring the youngsters along to TALES House in central London for a playful reading of Little Echo. You’ll get moving, singing, drawing and listening to the inspirational picture book by Juliana Ohene-Nyako. This interactive song, sound and storytelling session is also an opportunity to explore TALES House and find gorgeously curated, African handcrafted fashion and homewares. A lovely way to spend the morning for families, educators, grandparents, book lovers and fashionistas! All ages welcome, storytelling best for younger kids. 10.30am-12pm; FREE but spaces limited, registration on Luma advised (Oct 10)
Sat-Sun: Ramses and the Pharoah’s Gold Exhibition at Neon, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms SW8 5BN (Battersea Power Station tube, Battersea Park rail/overground)
This Black History Month, travel back in time to ancient Egypt with this popular interactive touring exhibition. You’ll get to meet the pharaoh and explore 180+ artefacts including statues and royal coffins. Endorsed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. 10am-4pm (Mon-Thu & Sun), 10am-6pm (Fri), 9am-6pm (Sat) – times may vary: adult from £24.55/child from £19.55 (until May 31)
Sat-Sun: Black Culture Market, Assembly Hall, Lambeth Town, SW2, 1RW (Brixton tube)
Welcome back to the Black Culture Market, a perfect pit stop for Black History Month. Soak up the culture and the vibes while supporting Black-owned businesses, You can browse dozens of stalls for delicious food, homeware, fashion, prints, books, gifts, jewellery, natural hair and skincare. All ages welcome. 12pm-5pm; FREE but advanced registration recommended (Oct 10-11)
Sat-Sun: Derren Brown: Only Human at Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
The master of illusion is back in this brand new show blending storytelling, mentalism, psychology and good old-fashioned stage magic. Derren Brown: Only Human is guaranteed to leave your jaw hanging. Ages 12+ (not suitable for younger ones). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £25 (Oct 10-Jan 30)
Sun: The Museum of Marvellous Things at Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, SE18 6HD (Woolwich tube, Woolwich Arsenal rail/DLR)
Look out for moons in balloons, stars in jars and dancing Doo-Dahs (dance along!) at this marvellous, magical museum brought to life by the power of your imagination. Get friendly with Norbert Norris and Tilly T Pott, characters from Kristina Stephenson’s picture book, and make your own puppet. For ages 3+, all ages welcome. 11am & 2pm; from £17/family £52 (Oct 11)
Sun: The Mystery of Arts Depot at Studio Theatre, Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Take part in this mind-bending, interactive murder mystery, devised by the team behind I Believe in Unicorns. You’ll be working alongside super sleuth Danyah Miller to look at evidence, inspect footage, interrogate suspects, and piece together clues. Ages 7+. 12pm & 2.30pm; from £13.75 (Oct 11)
We also like
Don’t miss South African dance show The Herd/Less at Sadler’s Wells East, part of Dance Umbrella festival (Thu-Sat/until Oct 27); browse for affordable art at The Other Art Fair in Spitalfields (Thu-Sun); follow Winnie-the-Pooh on a brand new adventure at London Zoo’s storybook trail (Thu-Sun, ongoing); Pixar fave Inside Out screens at Rooftop Cinema Peckham (Sat); or get witchy with a deluxe screening Practical Magic 2 (12A), 8pm at Covent Garden Hotel (Sat); there’s a Family Day of art and creativity at William Morris Gallery (Sat); Black Lives in Music are back with Classically Black at Kings Place (Sat); all ages are welcome to dress up and gore for the World Zombie Day walk (Sat); New Scientist Live takes over ExCel London with demos, workshops and explosions (Sat-Mon)
Booking Ahead
- High School Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Oct 12-Jan 3)
- Larger than Life: Aardman at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C (Oct 14-Jan 4)
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House, WC2 (Oct 15-18)
- Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage at Capital Theatre, Westfield London, W12 (Oct 16-Mar 14, 2027)
- Aurora Orchestra: Meet the Instruments at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 17)
- Crescendorious: A Message to the Future at Grand Junction, Paddington (Oct 17)
- Black British Folk Takeover at Cecil Sharp House, Chalk Farm (Oct 17)
- The World As We See It at Hackney Empire, E8 (Oct 20)
- Bayeaux Tapestry at British Museum (next ticket release from Oct 21)
- Black Book Festival and Education Expo at Goldsmiths, SE14 (Oct 24)
- James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks at Museum of Comedy, WC1 (Oct 24-25, Nov 28-29, Dec 19-20)
- October Half-Term and Halloween at Eltham Palace, SE9 (Oct 24-31)
- Sunday Papers Live at B&H Buildings in Angel (Oct 25)
- Family Film Club: Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dubbed) at Barbican Centre, EC2 (Oct 27)
- Half-Term Pumpkin Carving at Morden Hall Park, SM4 (Oct 29-30)
- Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery at British Library, NW1 (Oct 30-Jun 20)
- Halloween Piano Party at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 31)
- British Museum Sleepover: Explore Korea at British Museum (Oct 31-Nov 1)
- Hamlet Hail to the Thief (ages 14+) at Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Oct 31-Jan 23)
- Lost Worlds by Luxmuralis at Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 (Nov 6-8 & 11-15)
- Diwali at Osterley Park and House, TW7 (Nov 7-29)
- Skate at Somerset House, WC2 (Nov 11-Jan 10)
- Wigs and Wiggles at Handel Hendrix House, W1 (Nov 15, Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 21)
- Peace Doves at Old Royal Naval College, SE10 (Nov 20-Feb 7)
- Univers (ages 0-2) at The Pit, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Dec 2-12)
- Preschool Pics at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Dec 9, Feb 10, Mar 17)
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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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