What’s On: Kayaking, Archaeology, Magna Carta, Craft Making and more
This weekend for older kids (and perhaps their younger siblings)
World Archaelogy Festival, University College London: Saturday 13th, noon-5pm. This looks AMAZING - kids can take part in loads of fabulous activities like sandbox archaeology, fish mummification, pottery making, underwater shipwreck, fragmented frescos and more.
Great Charter Festival, University of London: Sunday, 10-5pm. Bring the kids and take part in a variety of activities celebrating the 800 anniversary of the singing of the Magna Carta. There will be crafts, talks, gallery tours and more.
GrandFest, Hoxton Square: Bring the kids to this amazing festival where volunteers teach young and old alike various skills like wood turning, dancing, bread making, crocheting, soft furnishings and more. What a fabulous way to teach kids how things are made. Free event, donations warmly welcomed to support the Royal Voluntary Service. Saturday 11am-5pm, various locations near Hoxton.
Family Fun Photos, British Museum: Saturday 11am-4pm - bring the kids for this drop-in digital workshop where you will make a keepsake family portrait using a museum piece as a backdrop. ages 5+, free
Family Studio, Royal Academy: get inspired by the sculptures on display in the Summer Exhibition and create your own 3D artwork to take home. Sunday 11am-3pm, free
This weekend for the Whole Family
Pirate Castle Open Day: Saturday 13th, 11am-4pm. Head up to Camden to the Pirate Castle and let the kids have a go at kayaking (8+) or take a canal boat ride (all ages), head inside the castle for pirate arts and crafts, martial arts and more. Great day for the family
The Big Wild Rumpus, Unicorn Theatre: Celebrate this best-loved children’s book Saturday 10am-1pm with a dramatic reading, followed by Crown Crafts and Monster Mess events in the foyer. This event is for mums, dads and anyone who loves this story.
Open Squares Weekend: There are so many interesting events going on around London with the Open Squares Weekend. My favourites include The Calthorpe Project will have vegan food, craft beer, music, kids arts and crafts. Also, Eaton Square and Russell Squares will have Punch and Judy shows. Spitafields City Farm will have the animals out for the children amongst other things.
Family Barn Dance, Cecil Sharp House: Sunday 3-5pm, bring the kids and listen to live music and expert callers to learn how to folk dance. Adults £7, £5 children, under 2s free.
Babies and Toddlers
National Gallery Welcome Wednesdays: Bring your little ones to this new event put on by the National Gallery on Wednesday from 10:30-11:10am and repeated again at 11:30 Children will interact with paintings through music, art, messy play and storytelling. Under fives, free, booking required [email protected]
Unicorn Theatre, One Little Word: this very special show is for London’s littlest theatre goers mixing music, movement and gorgeous set design to make a play with just one spoken word. Ages 3-6, tickets £10-£16, various dates and times available.
Classical Babies: If you are able to get up to the O2 Centre in Finchley, make sure to check out a Classical Babies concert there.
Royal Albert Hall, Storytelling and Music Sessions: bring children ages 0-4 to Royal Albert Hall on Wednesdays for a magical experience with storytellers Paul Rubinstein and Olivia Armstrong where singing, storytelling and musical instruments are woven into one story session. £4, 11:30am
Pimlico Toy Library: Pimlico Toy Library has a new web site showcasing all their wonderful children’s workshops and baby playtimes. This is a fantastic resource for any parent or carer, the toys are fastidiously cleaned and the art workshops are brilliantly planned with high quality materials.
Electric Cinema, Electric Scream: Mondays. This week’s feature: Jurassic World. 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: Jurassic World or London Road
Family Cinema:
Curzon Cinema, Victoria: Do head over and check out Victoria’s swish, new cinema, right off Victoria Street. Robin Hood this Saturday, 10:30. £3.50 per person.
BFI Southbank, Family Film Saturdays: great value and great family cinema. £4 per child, £11.75 adults, 1 child 1 adult £10. This week’s screening, Oh, Mr. Porter!
Gate Picturehouse, Kids Club: This week’s programme: Home . £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 is Smashing Shorts. 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, Two By Two at 10:30am. Check out the Electric Cinema with its plush, red velvet beds, sofas and armchairs. Looks like a great way for Dad to occupy the kids on a Saturday morning.
