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🎭 5 things to do in London this weekend with the kids (4–6 May)

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Jeff – Dads in London
May 01, 2024

Hello fellow DiLFs!*

Happy International Workers’ Day, May Day and Global Love Day! I hope you fulfil all briefs by clocking off early to dance around a maypole and embrace humanity.

Failing that, just do normal Hump Day things, and then get ready for the long weekend ahead. (In case you haven’t been warned by your smartphone or spouse, you get Monday off next week – which means 33.3% more time to enjoy everything that’s going on in London.)

Jeff xx

*Dads in London Followers (or maybe Friends?). What do you think? Someone suggested it as a name for readers of this newsletter, and I like it: it’s accurate, mildly humorous, and possibly a nice little morale boost.

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00
39-41 Parker Street, WC2B 5PQ
PAY WHAT YOU CAN (suggested prices on the website)

I always use the wrong words when describing architecture, so when I say this building has an “Art Deco style”, please be aware it could actually be Indo-Saracenic Revival or Ukrainian Baroque style for all I know. Regardless, it’s a fantastic place that screens the sorts of movies your upcycled/vintage/retro-t-shirt-wearing friends will approve of.

Every Saturday and Sunday morning, the cinema puts on films suitable for the whole family – and this weekend is particularly exciting because you get to see a bunch of beautifully animated shorts for children.

All the animations feature in this year’s Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival, which I’ve just learnt is one of the largest short film festivals in the world. On Sunday 5th, the screening is followed by a free activity for children – so go to that one if you have the choice.

Saturday 4 May at 15:30; Sunday 5 May at 10:30 and 15:30; other dates (including weekdays) throughout May and June
Little Angel Studios, Sebbon St, N1 2EH
Adults £14; children (1–17) £12

Far fetched storyline? Bury that cynicism, you old curmudgeon, and step into the wonderful world of Little Angel Theatre. I’ve been to this place about eleventy times and I swear to you: every single performance is bats**t crazy but stonkingly delightful. Most importantly, my kids (and others I’ve polled in a somewhat scientifcally rigorous-ish way) have adored 100% of the shows on offer.

The Curious Rat follows Lucien (the eponymous rodent) as he travels across London – on a bridge, inside a bus, at a carnival – often in the rain. The listing says it’s suitable for ages 3–8, but my youngest son has enjoyed Little Angel shows from the age of about 12 months. (And that’s not to show off, because he really is quite a bog-standard toddler. It’s just to say that younger children will probably enjoy the show too.)

While you’re there…

👍️ Megan’s restaurant is around the corner and raises the bar when it comes to children’s food. This Turkish mini-chain has menus for both “little kids” (ÂŁ3.90) and “big kids” (ÂŁ4.50), with meals such as “roast butternut squash with hummus and falafel”, “mini brunch” (scrambled egg, broccoli, sourdough toast and halloumi), and flatbread pizza.

Sunday 5 May, 12:00
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
From ÂŁ16

Do you genuinely understand what’s going on in kids’ shows or stories? Phew: me neither. I have a feeling I’ll be particularly out of my depth at the new LPO family concert at the Southbank Centre, but no matter: it’ll still be worth the trip, because LPO concerts are consistently excellent.

This particular performance is called Appalachian Spring, and it tells the story of a bride and groom anticipating their future in America over 100 years ago. Apparently it features a very loud musical alarm clock. I hope I’m not the only one who’s already confused.

While you’re there…

👍️ As the orchestra performance is primarily aimed at those aged 6+ (although any age can attend), there’s also an interactive children’s workshop for ages 2–5 in the same venue. If you have a child within each age group, it’s a way to give them both something they’ll definitely enjoy.

👍️ Stop by the Southbank Skate Space and watch some of the world’s best and worst skaters fling themselves around concrete banks, ramps and ledges. Try to stop yourself from making remarks like, “Gosh, his mother must be terrified watching him,” and “What’s the point of graffiti anyway? It just looks so messy.”

👍️ The children’s play area at Jubilee Gardens is one of the most original and exciting in London. There’s a slide, a climbing wall, ladders, ramps, wobbly boats and bridges, a toddlers’ playhouse, a big net construction thing, a walk-the-plank swing log, and so much more.

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Sunday 5 May, every hour on the hour between 11:00 and 15:00 (for 30 minutes)
Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
FREE

Would you like to know what your children will be drawing, or what the mural will be about? Sorry: no can do.

As is the case with all V&A events and exhibitions, the vague and boring website description doesn’t do this activity justice. Someone needs to alert Queen Victoria so she can turn in her grave or something to express her dismay. Albert could do the turning too, of course – I just imagine Victoria would be more fussed.

Don’t let the lame website text put you off, though, as V&A family events are always well thought-through and enjoyable.

While you’re there…

👍️ The V&A has created a family trail that takes you through the best parts (for kids) of the V&A galleries. Find the trail description here.

👍️ The children’s playground at Jubilee Gardens (see above) may well be one of the best, but I never said THE best – and that’s because another playground is equally exceptional. The Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens has a wooden pirate ship (with a beach), sensory trail, teepees, and various play sculptures.

The “not an event” section

A new business called Family Friendly Guides wants to make it easier for families to enjoy their restaurant experiences. They’d love for you to complete a short survey so they can get a better understanding of what matters most to parents when it comes to dining out.

In return for your time and insights, you’ll get a free founding membership.

5: Eat a delicious meal without paying full price

If you and your family enjoy Japanese or Indian food, you’re in luck:

It’s Japanese Children’s Day on Sunday 5 May. If you were to live in Japan, you’d set aside the day to respect children’s personalities and celebrate their happiness. As you live in London, you can do both those things (if you want to) while also getting a free children’s bento box when you dine at any Sticks‘n’Sushi restaurant.

Modern Indian restaurant Yaatra has the sort of menu prices that normally make me go “Eeesh”. But when those prices are sliced in half by the power of an OpenTable restaurant deal, that Kerala Tawa Fry Turbot suddenly looks delicious rather than the reason I can’t afford a holiday this year. (Available at lunchtime on Saturday 4 May only.)

Monday 6 May, 11:30–13:00*
1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
Adults and children £7; ages 0–2 free

There are so many great things about family discos at Big Penny Social. The two best, in my opinion, are as follows:

1: You get to dance to all the music you really like while pretending you’re just there for the kids.
2: The hangover is over and done with by bedtime.

If you need any more reasons, try these: bubbles, interactive games, prizes and singalongs. What’s that, you say? Those activities are meant to be for the kids? Pah: you’re a human who’s worthy of joy too! If you love bubbles as much as the average three-year-old, you stomp on those little orbs of Fairy Liquid like you’ve never stomped before.

*The website says 10:00–11:30, but when you click through to book, it’s actually 11:30–13:00.

Opens 20 July (but book now)
Various dates and times
Various and confusing entry prices, but it’s about £15 per person for general entry and a ticket to the Monster Funfair; check the website for all prices

I know from bitter experience that Discover Centre activities are immensely Popular with a capital P, and it’s important to book well in advance. (It’s not quite up there with Royal Opera House Family Sundays – which are POPULAR with a capital everything – but getting there.)

The Monster Funfair is, according to the website, an “immersive family adventure” that “will take visitors through a fantastical circus tent and into the woods.” Among the trees will be “an amazing, marvellous, EXTRAORDINARY… Monster Funfair!”

As is often the case with Discover events, there’s also a fun mystery to solve: “Who has stolen ALL the candyfloss?” Will you get to eat the candyfloss if you solve the mystery? You’ll need to wait and see! (That’s code for: I have no idea but probably not.)

Discover Children’s Story Centre also has a huge creative play space for children aged 0–11, so be sure to set aside enough time for that too.

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