Wimbledon, Royal Society, Kubrick, Dutch Flowers, Ponyo and more
Weekend Events for the Whole Family:
Wimbledon Screenings: Duke of York Square has, hands-down, the best set up for little kids as they open the fenced-in green, hand out rugs and bean bag chairs to the first to arrive and there is plenty of food and drink on offer. Next favourite, is the roof at One New Change, but for older kids; watch the tennis while gazing at St. Paul’s cupola. Granary Square is great for all ages, just know there are fountains that are very tempting and easy for little ones to get soaked in. Cardinal Place, Canada Square, New Street Square and Exchange Square in Broadgate will also be hosting Wimbledon Screenings. Check times and dates with the venues.
Westminster Abbey Summer Fete: Head over to Dean’s Yard for BBQ, birds of prey, music, games, food and Morris Dancing.
Southbank, Festival of Love: Head over to the summer playground and take the kids to Come and Clay on Saturday 10:30-11:30 and noon-1pm (ticket required, but free event). Also, make a 3D family tree, play in Appearing Rooms if it is warm enough, see a circus act, or see ZooNation.
Trafalgar Square, Eid Festival: Come and celebrate Eid Mubarak with dance, music, face painting, henna, calligraphy, sorry telling and art exhibits.
London STEM Activities:
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition: Come and take part in a free festival of science and technology. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, free, no tickets required.
Somerset House, Musical Movie Mavericks: See the Stanley Kubrick exhibition and explore the relationship between musical scores and movie making. Take part in an afternoon of storyboarding, character creating and entertaining sound making with Makey Makey technology. Saturday noon-3pm.
Le Institut Francais, Digital Club: Come and take part in a bilingual (easy French) free gaming session in the children’s library. Free, booking essential, and really good fun. Saturday 2:30-4pm
Dutch Flower Paintings, National Gallery: Head over to the National Gallery and get a free peak at the amazing Dutch Flower exhibit. Children will then take part in an artist-led workshops making their own flower sculptures. We went over half-term and made amazing bugs … not sure what might be in store this weekend. Sunday 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.
Whitechapel Gallery Family Day: Take part in film animation, puppetry and performance. Booking advised, but drop-in welcome.
Airside Andy: Check out this brilliant new game for children age 4-8; its safe, social and STEM. Great fun combining problem solving. Check out my Airside Andy review here.
Babies and Toddlers
diddi dance Chelsea: bring little ones 18 months - 4.5 years to Cineworld Fulham Road on Thursday mornings for a fabulous dance class. Get a workout, a laugh and make new friends in this newly opened class (read about diddi dance Chelsea here)
Book Now for Villa Pia, Italy’s finest baby-friendly, all-inclusive, fabulously valued family holiday destination – fabulous savings for off-peak stays, perfect for families with children not yet in school. Read my review of Villa Pia
Little Diggers, Vauxhall City Farm: A gardening club for parents and toddlers with a range of activities that get children digging in soil and growing food. Thursdays 10-11:30, children ages 2-4, £4 per adult.
Royal Albert Hall, Storytelling and Music Sessions: Could you think of a more stately venue to introduce 0-4 year olds to music, movement and storytelling? Join seasoned storytellers Paul Rubinstein, Olivia Armstrong and Becky Dixon to this fabulous, hands-on, musical storytelling session. Wednesdays, 10 am and 11:30, tickets just £5.
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, 11:00. This week’s feature: Our Kind of Traitor. Bring babies under 12 months to this amazingly plush cinema, relax with some coffee and catch a flick.
Clapham Picturehouse, Big Scream: Head to Clapham and see Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie on Sunday at 10:30, £7.50.
Ritzy, Brixton, Big Scream: Fridays, 11am, £7.50. This week’s feature: The Neon Demon and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
Family Cinema
Regent Street Cinema, Kino Club Films : You can now bring your children to London’s beautifully restored, sumptuous cinema for screenings of better than average children’s films on Saturdays. This week’s screening: The King antd the Mockingbird11:30am, just £1.75.
BFI Family Cinema, Finding Dory Q and A with director Sunday 11am. Kids £4, adults £11.75
Framed Film Club: Head to the Barbican for the Framed Film Club, this week’s feature: Ponyo. Saturday 11am.
Gate Picturehouse, Kids Club: This week’s programme: Ponyo tickets just £1 with £4 membership, popcorn and juice £2. (best £3 you will ever spend on a rainy Saturday)
Bloomsbury Curzon: 10:30 Sunday, this week’s screening is Ponyo, £3.00 per person.
Ritzy, Brixton, Kids’ Club: Saturdays, 10:30am. £1.50. This week’s feature: Ponyo.
Electric Cinema, Kid’s Club: This week’s feature, Zathura. 9:30am. 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.
