Greater London What’s On

Family Day Returns to Chinatown!

Sunday 19 July, 12 – 5pm Chinatown London hosts second FREE day of activities for the whole family in the heart of London’s West End

This free event will see the area’s streets welcoming an array of entertainment and activities for families and there will be something for everyone to get involved with, whether you prefer to be an onlooker or really like to get stuck in. Come down and join the fun but remember to come with a good appetite.

Chinatown Family Day will run from midday through to 5pm and is completely free to attend. For more information about the event, visit www.chinatownlondon.org, or follow on twitter @LondonChinatown.

Briefs Factory presents Brat Kids Carnival

Welcome to the biggest brat-attack from a star studded line-up of Australia’s finest circus artists and mischief-makers. Witness hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights, and some seriously cheeky clowning antics, performed by the stars of Briefs in a manner that will out-BRAT kids of all ages. Brat Kids Carnival is ideal for youngsters with a taste for wild circus skills, pumping music, ridiculous acts of amazement and eye popping party tricks. £11-16 (August 2 12.30)  London Wonderground Southbank July 29 to August 2 14.00hrs www.londonwonderground.co.uk 0844 545 8282

Natural History Museum’s

On Friday 17th July, enjoy 2-for-1* entry to the Natural History Museum’s Sensational Butterflies exhibition if you visit in butterfly-themed outfits! We are celebrating the launch of the big butterfly count, the world’s biggest butterfly survey that helps scientists assess the health of the environment.

Sensational Butterflies is open until 13 September www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/sensational-butterflies.html

Geffrye Museum Free summer events for children and families
The Geffrye explores the home from 1600 to the present day.  Evocative displays of middle-class, London living rooms and gardens illustrate home and home-life through the centuries, reflecting changes in society, behaviour, style and taste.  The museum is set in beautiful 18th century almshouse buildings and gardens in Hoxton, East London.  The award-winning walled herb garden and period gardens provide an urban oasis in the heart of the City (open April to October).  www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Sebastien Foucan and Oxygen Freejumping join Forces

The founder of Freerunning, Sebastien Foucan, who is also famous for being part of the iconic opening scene in James Bond’s Casino Royale, has partnered with Oxygen Freejumping, the UK’s first chain of trampoline parks, to give children and adults the opportunity to experience freerunning ‘Foucan’ style.

A dedicated 3,000 square foot obstacle course will be used by Foucan to offer the freerunning facilities alongside the 150 connected trampolines on the main floor. The first Foucan Freerunning Academy will be at Oxygen Freejumping in Acton, West London, when it opens to the public on July 20, 2015. All future Oxygen Freejumping parks across the UK will host Foucan Freerunning Academies. West Acton. http://www.foucan.com/

London’s beautiful Royal Parks

Summer is here, to make it even more exciting, The Royal Parks Foundation have planned a whole range of new events in our exclusive garden in the heart of Hyde Park that’ll give you the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, relax, rest your mind, and enjoy the sunshine.

Water Lilies and Wine – 22 July Power Pilates in the Park –  Friday 17 July Mindfulness Meditation – Monday 20 July Sunset Safari – Thursday 20 & 27 August (suitable for children aged 7 years +)

Plus Guided Walk – Adults & Children Cost £5 Discovery Days – Adults & Children Free of charge Drop in anytime between 11.00am – 3.00pm Nature Explorers – Children aged 8 -11 years old Cost £15  10.00am – 3.00pm To book and for more information, please visit www.SupportTheRoyalParks.org/experiences

Michael Morpurgo’s ‘I Believe in Unicorns’ returns to West End this summer
Olivier Award nominated Wizards Presents is excited to announce that their hit production I Believe in Unicorns, Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s story, will return to the Vaudeville Theatre this summer, August 1st – 30th 2015.

For more information visit  www.ibelieveinunicorns.co.uk Suitable for everyone over 6 Running time 60 minutes

Gladiators Games Return London to Roman Londinium

London’s only Roman amphitheatre comes alive this August  at the Museum of London. A gladiatorial arena will spring up in the courtyard of the Guildhall, the oldest part of the capital, where gladiators fought 2,000 ago. Ten public evening and matinee performances will take place on selected dates between 8 and 16 August. Full information and tickets at www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Longing for the sea?

Then visit the Kingston Museum and get eye to eye with photographs of marvellous creatures such as a turtle silhouetted against an azure sky, a longhorn cowfish, a bumblebee shrimp and a hairy squat lobster. These are all inhabitants of the coral reef, one of the most biologically diverse habitats on earth, and often referred to as the Rainforest of the Sea.

Saturday 24 July and is open all summer until Saturday 5 September. Entry to the exhibition is free. www.kingston.gov.uk/museum

“Aliens love underpants, of every shape and size.

But there are no underpants in space, so here’s a big surprise!” A strictly limited West End season of family show ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS comes to the Dominion Theatre from 1 August – 5 September 2015, marking its return to London following a highly acclaimed UK tour.

Based on the hugely successful children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, the story of the mischievous aliens who come to earth on an important mission to steal everybody’s underpants has stunning effects, madcap action, original music and lots of crazy aliens of course!

Running time: 55 minutes (no interval) Suitable for ages 3+ Box Office: 0845 200 7982 or book online at www.dominiontheatre.com (booking fees apply)

 Fire Tech Camp leads the way in getting kids ‘making’ this summer

A series of new rapid prototyping educational courses for children and teenagers have been launched, taking place in London’s first ever purpose built workspace for making and 3D printing. Delivered by Fire Tech Camp, the UK’s most progressive tech holiday camp for kids, the summer 2015 courses allow children and teenagers to learn skills that are at the forefront of modern digital fabrication and design.

The maker movement is rapidly growing in popularity in the UK largely stemming from an entrepreneurial, DIY culture which has come about post-recession. Fire Tech Camp wants kids to be involved in this movement by teaching them skills in 3D printing, laser cutting, computer aided-design (CAD) and get them physically working with vinyl, wax and silicone for a holistic digital-meets-physical learning experience. www.firetechcamp.com

Adventures in Wonderland

London’s Vaults turned into Wonderland HQ for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland bring Wonderland to life on a grand scale, blending storytelling, live music, circus and spectacle, along with a collection of fantastical puppets designed by Samuel Wyer and Cirque de Soleil puppet designer Max Humphries. It’s a fantastic show suitable for ages 5-10 and features all the fabulous well-known characters from Lewis Carroll’s famed novels in a brand new show. There’s also a sister adults show, Alice’s Adventures Underground, with a separate cast and script, running at the same venue in the evenings too (for 11+ year olds). There’s also a chance to visit the Wonderland bar with its special menu of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails from Bourne and Hollingsworth, a chance to play flamingo croquet, wander the hedge maze and mix with the cast in character afterwards!

http://www.lespetitsadventures.co.uk/#adventures-in-wonderland