What’s On: London’s Best Free and Affordable Baby and Family Events
Mermaid Maternity Retreat, The King’s Road on Wednesday 2 July:
Chelsea’s award-winning mum and baby activity, Monkey Music, is celebrating their birthday at the Chelsea’s Mermaid Retreat on The King’s Road on Wednesday 2 July. Jayne Harris, will be hosting very special baby taster sessions between 10 am and 12pm for you to come along and enjoy with their compliments.
The Mermaid Retreat (Chelsea’s gorgeous mum, dad and baby retreat for pregnancy through to post-partum overnight stays and beyond to toddlers) is the perfect setting for Monkey Music and a tour of the amazing Mermaid will be available along with complimentary smoothie in their fabulous restaurant. Sessions are for babies from 3 months to 1 yr, new-borns and expectant mums are very welcome too! To book you spot just call Monkey Music on 020 8767 9827 or email [email protected]
This Weekend:
Somerset House, Museum of Water, Midsummer Water Day: Head over to Somerset House and to King’s College for a variety of interesting talks, events and workshops focused on water. Take the kids to the family art workshop, the tour of the “Roman Bath” on The Strand, listen to poetry or take perform with a choir - lots on for all ages. Free
Regent’s Street Bus Cavalcade: Sunday 22nd, head over to explore over 50 different historic and new busses. There will be children’s theatre, Lego workshops and other family activities taking place on Regent’s Street, which will be closed to traffic. Free, all ages.
Looking for a children’s entertainment? Check out The Musical Adventurists – a fantastic musical comedy duo who have a wealth of professional experience. They take the children on a fanciful adventure using songs, instruments, story props and lots of imagination – read my review
Whitechapel Gallery, Family Day – What Will You Do? Saturday 21st, noon – 4pm. Join sculptors Peggy Atherton and Will Shannon to make a magical landscape inspired by Francis Upritchard’s instillation. Alongside this, you can sing and perform in a collaborative production with Filament Theatre – a day of exploring many different forms of art. Free, booking recommended, all ages
National Portrait Gallery: Saturday 21st, 1:30-4pm, join poet Joshua Seigal for an interactive poetry workshop in the gallery. Respond to the portraits with poetry. Free, ages 3+
Summer Fair in Mayfair: Sunday 22nd, join the Friends of St. George’s Hanover Square in Mount Street Gardens for a traditional summer fair, complete with bouncy castle, fun fair rides, stalls, entertainment – a nice way to spend the afternoons with the little ones.
Waterloo Festival, Aspley House, Hyde Park Corner: bring the kids and learn about the Napoleonic Wars – meet the Red Coats, talk to the soldiers’ wives and learn more about the battle. £6.70 adults, £4.00 children, under 5s free (if you are a Heritage member, admission is free)
Saturday and Sunday Films and Shows:
Curzon Cinema, Victoria: This week’s Kids Club programme: Lego 3D. Saturday and Sunday, 10:45. £3.50 per person.
Gate Picturehouse, Kids Club: This week’s programme: The King and the Mockingbird. Tickets £1 with £4 membership, popcorn and juice £2. (best £3 you will ever spend on a rainy Saturday)
Barbican Family Film Club: This week’s feature: Postman Pat. Tickets are £2, bring the kids and escape the cold while you chill and watch a movie. Great price. 11am, all ages.
Electric Cinema, Kid’s Club: This week’s feature, Tarzan, 9:30am. Check out the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill with its plush, red velvet beds, sofas and armchairs. Looks like a great way for Dad to occupy the kids on a Saturday morning. Tickets £8 per person. All ages
For Babies and Toddlers:
Ritzy, Brixton, Toddler Time:Thursdays 11am, £3 per child, adults free. This week’s programme: Bagpuss
Electric Cinema, Electric Scream: Jersey Boys – bring babies under 12 months to this amazingly plush cinema, relax with some coffee and catch a flick.
Ritzy, Brixton, Big Scream: Fridays, 11am. £7.50. This week’s feature: Belle
