How was your Easter break? I’m still astonished that summer term has started and we’re struggling to make it into springtime. It’s been a wild first quarter, let’s hope for smoother, saner (and safer) times to come. My list of family friendly London weekend picks includes book festivals, exhibitions, children’s theatre, arts and crafts, movies, and a chance to people watch and party at the popular Classic Car Boot Sale in King’s Cross. Enjoy.
Babes About Town Family Friendly London Weekend Picks
Thu-Sat: Earth Day Weekender at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Guests of all ages are invited for this special weekend tackling urgent environmental issues through art, culture and collective activism. It’s a mix of talks, exhibitions and workshops with free activities including screen printing using compost and a chance to explore Dana Fiona-Amour’s installation Serpentine Currents as well as pop-up the Museum of Edible Earth. Various times, ages and prices – some FREE (Apr 16-18)
Thu-Sun: Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Westminster, SW1A 1AA (Victoria/Hyde Park/Green Park/St James Park/Charing Cross tube; Victoria/Charing Cross rail)
Tickets for this weekend (and through May) are currently SOLD OUT but I’m just adding this here if you want to book ahead. Opening this month, it’s the largest ever exhibition of the Queen’s fashion with more than 300 items spanning every decade of her life. Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a firm anti-royalist or somewhere in between, it’s sure to be a fascinating show. All ages. 10am-5.30pm (last entry 4.15pm), select Tues openings at 2pm (May-Jun & Oct); adult £22/child 5-17 £11/£1 Universal Credit and other benefits/under 5s FREE – convert your ticket to a 1 year pass for unlimited readmission to The King’s Gallery (Apr 10-Oct 18)
Thu-Sun: Octonauts Above and Beyond at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
There’s still time to follow the Octonauts on their quest to find honeybees, help build them a new hive, and lead them home. This education family trail is aimed ages 3-6. 10am-4pm daily (11am on Mar 29); included in regular admission: adult tickets from £16-£27 (£10-£11 after 4pm)/child 4-15yrs from £5-£9/family tickets from £23-£63/under 4s FREE (until Apr 21)
Thu-Sun: The Everywhere Bear and I Want My Hat Back at Little Angel Theatre, a 14 Dagmar Passage, W1 2DN (Highbury & Islington tube/overground, Angel tube)
Visit the legendary puppet theatre for the last weekend performance of The Everywhere Bear. Adapted from the picture book, this delightful show tails a classroom bear on a mighty adventure. For ages 3-8. Various shows from 10am-4.45pm (Wed & Fri-Sun); adult £15.50child £13.50/all Wed 4.45pm tickets £8.50/all Fri 4.45pm tickets £10 (until Apr 19)
Fri-Sun: Barnsbury Book Festival, around Caledonian Rd and St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, N1 1BQ (Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury overground, Caledonian Rd tube)
Actor, comedian and bestselling author Rob Delaney (A Heart that Works) is one of the headliners at the new festival that hopes to inspire local residents and raise money for St Andrew’s Church spire renovations. This mixed line-up includes authors such as Oyinkan Braithwaite (Cursed Daughters, My Sister the Serial Killer), a family workshop at Institute of Physics (Mimi’s Tiny Adventure), a Barnsbury literary walk, and a festival finale dance party. Various times and prices, donations encouraged (Apr 17-19)
Sat: Family Workshop: Paddington’s Picnic at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Pop in for a fun sculpture workshop with artist Jess Heritage. You’ll help make a colourful cardboard picnic inspired by Paddington Bear complete with gigantic jam (or marmalade sandwich), cardboard cake, or towering tea set. Take it home or add it to the group picnic for a feast fit for Instagram. Ages 4+ (dress for a mess). 10am-2pm, drop-in; FREE with museum entry or those who have tickets for the family concert Marmalade & Masquerades. (Apr 18)
Sat: For the Love of Books at Dugdale Arts Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS (Enfield Town rail)
Visit Dugdale Arts Centre for their first book festival organised by indie author Mia Caven. This inclusive event features author talks, book signings, family friendly workshops and more for all book lovers. All ages. Entry times 10am-2.30pm; adult £10/child £5 (Apr 18)
Sat-Sun: The Music Is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Rd, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2AR (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
This groundbreaking exhibition sweeps across 12 decades, 4 contents and 125 years of Black music in Britain. (Re)discover classic and upcoming artists whose output drove more than 80% of the UK’s music economy between 1994-2023. It’s also your chance to scope out the new V&A East Museum opening this weekend. 10am-4.15pm daily (8.15pm Thu & Sat); £22.50 (Mon-Fri), £24.50 (Sat-Sun)/concs available – advance booking recommended (from Apr 18)
Sat-Sun: Classic Car Boot Sale, Granary Square and area, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
It’s that time of year again when vintage fashionistas and petrolheads gather at Granary Square. Explore 100+ stalls, street food, live entertainment, family fun, and DJs and drinks from a Routemaster bus. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm); adult and ages 12+ £7 adv, £8 door/child under 12 FREE (Apr 18-19)
Sat-Sun: Tudor Takeover Weekend at Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Take a step back in time to Tudor England at this weekend takeover. Discover the beautiful grounds, Chapel and legendary Painted Hall through talks, workshops and reenactments. Wander through a historic market, take part in calligraphy workshops, or join the kids in Knight School or designing your own family crest. All ages. 10am-5pm; adult £19/child 5+ £5/family £45.50/concs £14/under 5s FREE (Apr 18-19)
Sun: A Roundtable on Family Cinema at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
Open City Documentary Festival rounds off with a roundtable between 4 film practitioners – Maria Anastassiou, Sophia Satchell‑Baeza, Rehana Zaman and Hyun Jin Cho – followed by audience Q&A. They’ll discuss children’s first encounters with film and the many possibilities (social, political, emotional, critical) in family film programming. Aimed at adults but kids welcome too. Organised with Listen With Your Eyes, an ongoing series of screenings for kids of all ages and their grown-ups. 11am; £5 (Apr 19)
Sun: Firmdale Film Club: Project Hail Mary at Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Ryan Gosling stars in this buzzy new movie about a science teacher on a space mission to save the planet, and the sun, from a strange substance. Suitable for ages 12+. Film only £25pp or splash out on a 3-course menu or afternoon tea £55pp, add champagne for £65pp! 3.30pm; £25-£65 (all tickets include popcorn) (Apr 19)
We also like
Catch Intersecting Memories, a short film series at Rich Mix exploring life under occupation in Palestine (Thu); stroll around Southbank Centre and enjoy an illustrated parade of Quentin Blake characters (Thu-Sun/ongoing); head to Hampton Court Palace and Gardens for their annual Tulip Festival (Thu-Sun); pop to Grand Junction in Paddington for storytelling, clothes swaps and more at their free Loved and Wanted festival (Sat); go on a Wind in the Willows Walk along the river from Richmond to Twickenham (Sat); Trafalgar Square hosts the free Sikh festival Vaisakhi on the Square (Sat) and the annual St George’s Day festival (Sun); the Ideal Home Show wraps up at Olympia London (ends Sun); and it’s your LAST CHANCE to see this exhibition on birth and beliefs at Wellcome Collection (until Sun)
Booking Ahead
- North London Book Festival at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Apr 23-26)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Apr 24, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 10)
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at Soho Place (Apr 25-Jul 18)
- Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, E14 (Apr 29, May 27, Jun 24)
- Films in Concert: The Lord of the Rings trilogy at Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (Apr 30-May 10)
- Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre season, NW1 (May 2-Sep 12)
- Fight the Power film festival: La Haine at Rich Mix, E1 (May 20)
- Exploring Black British Literature Live with Malorie Blackman at British Library, NW1 (May 22)
- Michael Rosen’s Birthday at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (May 23)
- Prancer the Dancer’s DanceDanceDiscoPartyFun Show at Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre, SE1 (May 30)
- Sinatra the Musical at Aldwych Theatre, WC2 (opens Jun 3)
- Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jun 6)
- Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, W1 (Jun 16-Aug 23)
- Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 (Jun 18-21)
- London Children’s Ballet: Anne of Green Gables at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Jul 3-5)
- Dog Man the Musical UK tour hits London at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jul 29-Aug 16)
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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!**
Hosting the Perfect At-Home Summer Gathering
