What’s On: Serpentine Pavilion, Royal Society, Ancient Mechanicals and more …
This weekend for the Whole Family
Wimbledon Screenings
Take the kids and head over to Duke of York Square where the square is opened up for the public to park themselves in front of a huge screen and watch the tennis (children can cool off in the near-by fountains). King’s Place will have 50 deck chairs out and the fountains on, so bring the kids, a picnic, or enjoy sampling from the lovely food stalls there. For slightly older children, One New Change is a fabulous venue, the screen will be on the rooftop, directly opposite St. Paul’s cupola (you may bring your own picnic as it is a public space). All free, various times and dates
Serpentine Gallery Family Day: as part of the opening of the Serpentine Pavillion by selgascano, take the children for a wander around this amazing structure and then into the Family Day activities on Sunday 5th noon-5pm. Children will be taking part in art activities based on Friedrich Froebel’s early years education theories of play and construction. What a fabulous fusion of art and education!! Free, all ages, drop-in (the pavilion is great for all ages, the activities are for ages 0-5).
Somerest House: take the kids into the Edmond J. Saffra Fountain Court to cool off on Saturday, take older kids into make their own college based on uniforms from the Battle of Waterloo. Ages 6+, but younger siblings warmly welcomed.
Pop Brixton: head over to Brixton to explore the shipping container village and be sure to wander through the rest of the market.
Looking to book a baby and toddler friendly holiday? Read a review from a London Baby and Kids reader’s perfect family holiday in Italy. Book a family holiday with Villa Pia here.
Mostly Older Kids (and perhaps their younger siblings)
Unicorn Theatre Ancient Mechanicals: Bring the kids to explore science, history and invention in a unique and completely hands-on way. Shoot down a castle with a Roman catapult, build an aqueduct, use the sun to burn the enemy’s ships and write in hieroglyphics. Ages 7+, £3, £5 for 1 and adult and child. Saturday 4th July 10am, 11:45, 1:30 and 3:30.
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition: head over to Kids’ Zone where the Little House of Science will have a range of experiments for young people - banana pianos, volcanoes, insects, lava lamps. Students from the University of Bath will have hands-on activities for kids to try. There are lots of talks and exhibits at the Young People’s Shows for older children, too. Saturday and Sunday, 10-4pm, under 10s, free.
War Horse Family Workshop at The National Theatre: Experience what if feels like to be a War Horse puppeteer and discover hoe the family life-sized puppets were created. Learn simple puppetry tricks and bring your own horse to life. £5 adult, £3 child. Saturday 11am-1pm, and 2-4pm, booking essential.
Chickenshed at the World’s End, The Tempestuous Tale of Prospera and her Island: for ages 11+, a fabulous adaptation of The Tempest includes movement, music and more. £8, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th 7:30pm
Babies and Toddlers
National Gallery, Welcome Wednesdays: bring children under to 5 to the National Gallery and bring the paintings to life with music, storytelling, art and messy play. Free, but booking essential.
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. Next concert, 10th July.
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: Magic Mike XXL. 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: Amy
