18th-24th June London’s Best Free and Affordable Family Events, Concerts, Workshops, Activities and More
Just for Babies:
NCT Kensington and Chelsea Bumps and Babies Group: Gymboree, Baden Powell House. Every Tuesday 12:30 – 1:45pm, if you are new to motherhood, or have a new baby, this is a fantastic way to meet other people in the exact same boat. Its open to anyone, please drop by this welcoming and warm group. If you have a little one, they will love playing on the very clean, very fun Gymboree equipment. [email protected].
Gate Picture House Notting Hill: Big Scream. Come and enjoy a vintage theatre’s screening of A Royal Affair with your infant. Great chance to see current cinema without having to shell out for a sitter. Nappy changing
Baby and Toddler Events:
Classical Babies: Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios. £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy read more about the fabulous bit of motherhood: My review
Holland Park to Kensington Gardens, The Big Push – Monday 21 June, 10.30am NCT Kensington & Chelsea Branch is asking you to push your pram, tie on your sling or take your toddlers by the hand and take part in The Big Push, raising funds to help further the charity’s work with new parents in need of support. You will need to register to take part online at: http://nctkensingtonbigpush.eventbrite.com, or register from 9.45am on the day. Registration is just £5 or £8 for a family
The Calthorpe Project, Grey’s Inn Road.
The Calthorp Project provides a fabulous urban oasis for Londoners while working closely with a variety of families in and around Kings Cross. They teach children how to grow and cook food; offer holiday learning schemes; Saturday crèche plus family days with football and other activities for all ages … check out their site for their weekly rota of toddle activities. I will be heading over to check it out and write some more as they are in desperate need of support.
Weekend Events for the Bigs, Smalls and the Whole Family:
Gate Picturehouse Kids Club: Saturday 23rd June, 10:30. The Gruffalo. Tickets £1 each for £4 annual membership. Great way to get some down-time over a busy morning of exploring the near-by Kensington Palace, Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens, Notting Hill Farmer’s Market and more ..
British Museum, Writing Workshop with Philip Ardagh. Sunday 24th June. Join award-winning children’s author to create your own story inspired by mysterious museum objects … looks brilliant!! Free, ages 7+, booking required
Royal College of Music and Royal Albert Hall: Weekend West Side Story. Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June join RCM and RAH for a two day extravaganza celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic film. Join in for screening, singing, touring and more: see it, learn it, sing it!! Tickets £40 for one adult and one child (additional tickets £15), for two days of activities and workshops.
Chelsea Theatre, Sorted Saturdays. Saturdays, 3-5pm, £5 per child, adults free. Bring all the kids, under 11’s: puppets, performance, play and imagination theatre fun. 12-16s: theatre games and workshops for writers, actors, presenters, stand-up comics. Parents can take advantage of the coffee bar and free Wi-Fi.
Somerset House Family Art Workshops: Precious Scrolls. Saturday 23rd June, 2-3:30. Engage with the new Kokovo exhibit by making calligraphic scrolls (learn a new adjective every day). Brilliant respite if you are going to West End Live. Ages 6+, free, drop-in
Saatchi Gallery: Family Art Workshops, Sunday 24th, 11:00am and 3:00pm. Come join artist Valeria Amadei in the Saatchi Gallery for a gallery walk and then make a self-portrait. £5 per child, book ahead: contact Valeria [email protected] or 07794727062
Trafalgar Square, West End Live. Saturday 23rd 11am-6pm & Sunday 24th noon-6pm. Come and enjoy a free afternoon of live performances from the cast of Wicked, The Lion King, Horrible Histories, Matilda, Mama Mia, just to name a few. Further, museums and other cultural venues will have displays and activities for children. Free, all ages
Greenwich Fair, part of Greenwich and Docklands Festival. Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June. Come to Greenwich Town Centre and take part in a festival of outdoor arts. Look inside an enormous pig, watch an acrobatic show, explore a labyrinth and much more …
Hampstead Summer Festival: Monday 18th – Sunday 24th June. Come on Saturday 23rd to the fabulously charming Hampstead Heath Street and enjoy donkeys and unicorns; treasure hunt; antique cars; circus acts; art zone with demos and portrait sketching … an event that promises to be pure family fun.
Southwest Fest, St. George’s Square, Saturday 23rd June noon – 6pm. Come and enjoy children’s rides, craft activities, cake stalls, music and dancing. A great day out for the little ones.
set up, dim lights so you can see what they are up to … fabulous morning out.
Just for Adults:
Toddler Talk with Kathryn Mewes
NCT Kensington & Chelsea has invited Kathryn Mewes, Bespoke Nanny, and author of ‘The 3 Day Nanny’, to talk to local parents on some of the tougher issues when it comes to parenting toddlers.
Join us for a very informative and helpful evening session on Thursday 21st June at Rydges, Kensington, 8pm-9.30pm. Kathryn will talk on issues that are relevant for children between 18 months and 4 years old, however any parent with a baby or young child are welcome to attend.
During the 90-minute session, Kathryn will focus on the following topics
- Encouraging your child’s independence and understanding what they are capable of
- Meal times and how to make them run smoothly
- The signs of when to start potty training and how to do it
- Giving your child the freedom of choice to tantrum and how to manage when this happens.
Tickets are just £10, including light refreshments, bookings can be made online: http://toddlertalknctkensington.eventbrite.com.
Venue: Rydges, 61 Gloucester Road, Kensington SW7 4PE
