We’re off to see Timber by Cirque Alfonse tonight and Leona Lewis and Soul II Soul in Kew Gardens on Saturday. Another busy few days for the babes! Here’s some of our Top Things to Do with Kids in London this Weekend:
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live, Cirque Alfonse, Dalston People’s Festival, Skate King’s Cross, Camden Lock Live, Spellbound the Edmonton Festival, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Big Nature Day at Natural History Museum, Bastille Day in Bankside…
Good times!
Thu-Sun: Cirque Alfonse: Timber! at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Axe-juggling Canadians descend on the South Bank in what promises to be a raucous, occasionally knife-edge show blending native folklore from Quebec with circus skills, music and dance. Everyone from 66-year-old grandad to 2-year-old grandson Arthur gets involved, so expect mayhem. Recommended for ages 8+ although I’m taking the babes tonight and will report back! 7.30pm (Thu-Fri); 2pm & 7.30pm (Sat) and 4pm (Sun) + 2pm show (Wed); £15-£32/concs half-price. (Jul 10-31)
Thu-Sun: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, WC2 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Brilliant adaptation of the popular picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. A brave family goes on an adventure to find a bear, encountering some sticky and splashy obstacles along the way. Plenty of interactive fun, with music, perfectly pitched for ages 3+. 11am (Thu-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun), £14-£21.50 (until Sep 1)
Fri: Camden Lock Live, Camden Town, NW1 (Camden Town tube)
Got that Friday feeling? Check out London’s only FREE boutique urban festival, celebrating one of its coolest neighbourhoods. Two outdoor stages overlooking the canal, with music from Marcus Foster, Khushi, Aimee Gould and more; Pongathon ping pong tables, Oddballs juggling workshops, giant Jenga games, mixing workshops, 5 minute piano lessons, cocktails and street food from Camden Locks’ Global Kitchen. 10am-10pm (grown-ups can party later inside venues), FREE entry (Jul 12)
Fri-Sun: Skate Kings Cross, West Handyside Canopy, Goods Way, off Granary Square, NC1 (King’s Cross tube)
A pop-up rollerskating rink is taking over in NC1 for the summer, bringing disco-themed food from Disco Bistro and guest chefs, DJ nights and skating for all ages. Skates provided but feel free to bring your own! Skating sessions every 2 hours 10am-10pm (Tue-Wed & Sun); 11am-11pm (Thu), 10am-8pm (Fri-Sun) & nighttime sessions 8pm-late (Fri-Sat), closed on Mondays. Adult £14.30/concs £9.90/child £5.50 (Jul 12-Sep 6)
Fri-Sun: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 (Hampton Court rail)
The palace is in bloom this week as the annual celebration of its stunning gardens bursts into full colour. The show has stuff on for kids too including a scarecrow competition, workshops like making bumblebee hats and of course, a chance to wander the famous maze. There’s also live music, fashion and food on offer. Plus 2 kids come free with 1 paying adult! 10am-7.30pm (Fri-Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun); adult £19-£29.50/child FREE (up to 2 with 1 paying adult) (until Jul 14)
Sat: Big Nature Day at Natural History Museum (Darwin Centre and Wildlife Garden), Cromwell Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
The annual celebration of UK wildlife gives visitors a chance to explore creepy crawlies, flora and fauna of all descriptions. Come dressed as an insect and become part of a museum display, go on a ladybird chase, discover the Wildlife Garden ponds, get your face painted, follow a tree trail and watch a spotty dotty puppet show. 11am-5pm, FREE (Jul 13)
Sat-Sun: Osterley Weekend at Osterley Park & House, Jersey Rd, Isleworth, TW7 (Osterley tube)
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend for a Summer Family Fete in the gardens and you’ll have free access to the house too. Try your hand at archery, pet the mini farm animals, watch performances from local school children and Georgian dancers, join in with crafts or relax on a deckchair with a picnic. 12-5pm, FREE (Jul 13-14)
Sat-Sun: Spellbound: The Edmonton Festival, Jubilee Park, Galliard Rd, N9
An amazing weekend is planned in Edmonton for this family festival featuring Mica Paris, Gypsy Fire and salsa groovers Manteca on the line-up. You can Come Away with the Faeries in a special zone featuring fairy gardens and fairy queen trail, magical makeovers, circus acts, workshops and more. Plus join in the Magical Menagerie Parade on Sunday where you can dress up in magical garb and march with stilt walkers and floats! 12-8pm (Sat) & 12-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (£5 daily charge for workshops) (Jul 13-14)
Sat-Sun: Dalston People’s Festival, around E8 and E2 (Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction overground)
A week-long festival celebrating this distinctive corner of east London, kicks off this weekend with a Chill Out zone at the Eastern Curve Garden, the return of Street Feast market at Thames House Car Park (12pm-midnight) with traders like Yum Bun and the Rib Man dishing up the goods; and a family-friendly dance party outside Trinity Centre (12-1pm) all planned. From 11am daily, FREE entry to most activities (Jul 13-20)
Sun: Bastille Day, in and around Borough Market, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
‘Allo ‘allo. For the 6th year running, Bankside gives it up for the French at this all-day extravaganza. Highlights include a French feast in Borough Market, fun for the kids in the Family Quarter at Jubilee Gardens (12-6pm) with silk-weaving workshops, snail and waiter racing, bilingual storytelling and French bingo. There’s also Gastro Cinema including classic Disney flick Ratatouille, a chance to play boules/petanque or take tea with Marie Antoinette! 12-10pm, FREE (Jul 14)
LOCAL PICK
Sun: Arundel Square Big Day Out, Arundel Square, N7 (Highbury & Islington tube)
As featured in my pick of Islington spots on All Abroad Baby, Arundel Square is a fab play space that’s throwing a big community party this Sunday. There will be free activities for families including capoeira, football coaching, bike tagging, music, face painting for kids, food and craft stalls including BBQ and a raffle with big prizes from local sponsors. 12-4pm, FREE (Sun)
We also like
London MexFest brings the fiesta to the capital (Thu-Sun); there’s a Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace gardens, SW1 (Fri-Sun); see A Winter’s Tale: Reimagined for Everyone ages 6 and Over at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (until Jul 20): In the Night Garden Live is at Old Deer Park, Richmond (until Sun); Red Bull Soapbox Race speeds into Ally Pally, N22 (Sun)