The nationwide Family Arts Festival (pic) is just one of the many highlights in our guide to fun things to do with kids and families in London this weekend.
Family Arts Festival, Cirque Eloize, Bloomsbury Festival, Salon du Chocolat, Story of Mum, Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Disco, Bagpuss at Cecil Sharp House, Big Draw at the Houses of Parliament…
Enjoy!
Thu-Sat: Cirque Eloize: iD at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, Holborn
Last chance to catch this brilliantly entertaining Canadian circus that blends breakdancing, acrobatics, juggling, contortionists, stunt bicycling and more in a show that’s all about how the city transforms and inspires its residents. Ages 5+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun only); adult £15-£42/child half-price (Oct 1-19)
Thu-Sun: Bloomsbury Festival, in and around Russell Square and Bedford Square, WC2 (Russell Square tube)
The wonderful celebration of local arts and culture continues with family activities including Doodle Your Way in at Cartoon Museum, exploring Life Under the Waves at Grant Museum of Zoology, playing I Spy at Marchmont Community Garden, hearing Bach to Baby concerts at Pushkin House or Jazz in the Square at Bedford Square. And of course the main event is Russell Square Weekend (Sat-Sun) with the SOAS World Music Stage, art installations, pop-up dance performances and more! All ages. From around 10am-7pm daily (event times vary), FREE (Oct 15-20)
Thu-Sun: Gorilla at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, SW19 (Wimbledon tube)
Puppetry, music and a sprinkling of magic to celebrate the 30th anniversary of picture book classic about a gorilla and his girl chum. For ages 3-5. Special Mini Gorilla for toddlers tickets on limited availability. 10.35am, 11.05am, 2.05pm (dates and times vary), £8 previews and concs/£10 general (Oct 16-Feb 15)
Fri-Sun: Family Arts Festival, venues across London
The long-awaited festival of family arts and activities across the country kicks off this Friday, with regular programming at popular arts and theatre venues combining with specially created events. This weekend you can hear Storytelling with Bach at King’s Place, go on a Big Barbican Adventure, catch the Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix (also see our Black History Month guide), watch the Three Billy Goats Gruff at Half Moon Theatre, visit the Bloomsbury Festival and lots more. Visit the familyartsfestival.com and enter your postcode for activities near you! (Oct 18-Nov 3)
Fri-Sun: Salon du Chocolat at Olympia National Hall, Hammersmith Rd, Kensington (Kensington Olympia tube)
Chocolate Week? Any excuse. Do this holiday some justice at the three-day choc fest featuring star chocolatiers, family activities, edible sculptures and a life size chocolate cocoa tree by Hotel Chocolat. 2-6pm (Fri), 10-7pm (Sat); 10-6pm (Sun); adult £15 adv./£18 door; child ages 4-12 £10 adv./£12 door; family £40 adv/£55 door (Oct 18-20)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish: 2-4 Hour Party People at Effra Social, 89 Effra Rd, Brixton SW2 (Brixton tube)
It’s a Spooktacular family affair for the new Brixton party aimed at die-hard ravers and their little creatures. DJs Nihal (Radio 1) and Iain Baker (Jesus Jones) scaring up some monster tunes, frightful fancy dress, crafts room, licensed bar, glow sticks and more hair-raising good times for ages 0 and upwards. 2.30-4.30pm, adult £8-£10/child £4.50-£5/non-walkers FREE (Oct 19)
Sat: Big Draw at the Houses of Parliament, SW1 (Westminster tube)
For the first time ever, Parliament takes part in the annual Big Draw Festival. Go on a family-friendly tour of Parliament, then join in a workshop with artist Rachel Gadsden to create four new artworks inspired by the mosaics of patron saints. For ages 5+. 9.15am-3.45pm, 1 adult + 1 child £16.50 (£7 per additional child); under 5s FREE (Oct 19)
Sun: Just a Bit of Paper + Big Draw Family Day at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, N12 (Finchley Central tube)
Scribble and Scrap’s interactive theatre for young kids takes you on a journey of imagination, as you enter a playground of paper to fold, tear, scrumple and scrunch. For ages 3-5. Tickets include free entry to the Big Draw Family Day where you can explore the future through drawings, games, face painting and more. 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm, £8/Big Draw Family Day 11am-5pm, £2 (Oct 20)
Sun: Hackney City Farm Apple Day, 1a Goldsmiths Row, E2 (Bethnal Green tube/Hoxton overground)
Enjoy a day of apple bobbing, apple juicing, storytelling, apple-related games, cider for grown-ups and apple pie workshops for all ages. 12-4pm, FREE (Oct 20)
Sun: Bagpuss: The Songs and Music at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town tube/Camden Rd overground)
Rewind to your youth at this special celebration of the soundtrack to ‘70s TV character Bagpuss. Introduce your kids to the furry legend in this afternoon of songs and music for all the family. 4-7pm, adult £8/child £6/family £22 (Oct 20)
We also like
Join in the BritMums meet-up and Story of Mum: Mum’s Make Date evening of creative sharing (Fri 7-9.30pm) and family play date with puppets (Sat) at Photographer’s Gallery; enjoy Goat Grazing Fun on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Gardens at Southbank Centre (Sat); boy and penguin go on a Ga Ga adventure in Oliver Jeffers’ Up & Down; Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is performed for tots at Mini Maestros at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Sat, 4pm); the most exciting works on the contemporary art scene are on sale and display at Frieze London in Regent’s Park (until Sun)
WHAT’S HOT NEXT WEEK
Mon: Mummy Mondays at Beaufort House Chelsea, SW3 — fab new interactive classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the lovely club, with lunch on offer too! Ages 0-5. (every Monday)
Mon: Bach to Baby at Lauderdale House in Highgate, N6 –
special concerts for the youngest listeners, in a serene setting. (monthly)
Tue: Kids Cooking Class & Lunch at The Kitchen Clinic on Carnaby St, W1
Sutra Kitchen teach kids and their carers how to make delicious pasta sauce and gnocchi from scratch. Ages 3-10. 1.30-4.30pm, £35 adult and child (Oct 22 & Oct 29)
Fri: Kensington Mums Motherhood Exhibition at Clare Gardens, Westbourne Park Rd, W11
Come and take part in an exhibition celebrating mums everywhere, with action songs and rhymes session for your little ones too! (Oct 25)