Daily-Science Museum-Exhibition Rd –0870 870 4868-Take control in 360 degrees flight simulators or fly with the Red Arrows in their sensational 3D motion effects theatre. Every weekend Icy Cool Adventure families, under 7’s, FREE. Every Weekend Spaced Out, families, 5+yrs, FREE. Every Weekend A Cockroach Tour of the museum visitors take on the form of cockroaches dressing up in realistic costumes, FREE. Every Weekend explore hundreds of real natural history specimens, discover evidence along the way using microscopes, the computer database & other scientific instruments, science educators are there to help you with your investigations, FREE.
Daily-The Queen’s Gallery Buckingham Palace-London–020 7766 7301-Become an explorer & discover the exhibition with activity bags for families. Using the bags find out which animals the adventurers shared the Antartic with and what early explorers wore to protect themselves from the cold.
Ongoing-Royal Air Force Museum-Grahame Park Way-Hendon -020 8205 2266-Ongoing Airfix exhibition with some of Airfix’s most popular models from the 50,60s & 70’s.
Ongoing-Royal Mews Buckingham Palace-–020 7766 7302-Family groups may explore a range of self directed activities from the art trolley, 5-11yrs.
Ongoing-Royal Academy of Arts-–020 7300 8000 www.royalacademy.org.uk -New policy all children under 12yrs of age will have FREE entry to all exhibitions.
Ongoing-Churchill War Rooms –Clive Steps King Charles Street–020 7930 6961-Undercover, Life in Churchill’s Bunker, learn what life & conditions were like underground & experience the authenticity & emotional resonance of walking through the corridors where Churchill made history.
Throughout Sept-Peter Harrison Planetarium-–020 8858 4422-Back to the Moon for Good 5+yrs. The Sky tonight 5+yrs. Every Thurs in Sept Solar System, Galaxy, Universe, 5+yrs. Every Mon, Tues & Wed in Sept Meet the Neighbours, 5+yrs. Every Weekend in Sept Space Safari, under 7’s, www.rmg.co.uk/visit
Every Sun- National Gallery-–020 7747 2885-Family workshops for families bringing paintings alive & listening to a themed story on the magic carpet, plus FREE family trail, www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Every Sun-Hildreth Street Market-Balham SW12—Street Market with fresh food traders sourced from all over London.
Every Mon & Thurs –Holy Trinity Church –Brook Green –07710 023743-Singing & Songwriting sessions for 6-11 & 11-14yrs.
Every 2nd Sat of month-National Geographic Store-83-97 Regent Street–020 7025 6960-Animal Man comes face to face with slithering snakes, slimy insects & smelly skunks. Meet a wide variety of animals to include owls, lizards, tortoises, armadillos, meerkats & lots more, hands on activities are led by AnimalMan Nick Spellman for all ages.
Every Sat-Venn Street Market, Clapham Common-–020 7622 8259-Offering fine foods & fresh produce plus a variety of handmade crafts will be available throughout Dec with gifts & cards for all the family as well as Christmas trees & floral decorations. Christmas trees will be available.
Every Sat-Blue Elephant Theatre-Camberwell–020 7701 0100-Young People’s Theatre workshops, various age groups 7-18yrs, FREE to join.
Every Sat-Horniman Museum-London Road Forest Hill—Object handling themed sessions for families, 6 Sept Hands on Flight, 13 Sept Hands on Animals, 27 Sept BSL from families 3+yrs, FREE. Every Sat Art Makers have fun with different art techniques to create something fabulous, 6 Sept Hanging Bat Models, 13,20 Sept Owl pencil Holders (transform a simple paper cup nto a feathery owl to hold your pencils), 27 Sept,4 Oct Angler Fish Masks, turn yourself into an Angler Fish, families 3+yrs, adults FREE. Every Sun A World of Stories storytelling, families, 5+yrs, FREE. Every Sun Discovery for All explore thousands of real objects from around the world with the museum’s Explainers, all ages & adults, FREE. Every Tues & Wed from 16 Sept, except 23 Sept Bus Bees lively sessions for under 5’s & parents & carers, with creative lay, stories & songs or simple art & craft. 30 Sept Hear it Live! An informal music session, FREE. 30 Sept Hear it Live Harpsichord, FREE. Every Sat Farmers Market, FREEentry. 4-5 Oct Revisiting Romania Weekend celebrating Romanian art, music, film & food including concerts by a brass band, craft demonstrations, storytelling, food stalls & more, FREE, www.horniman.ac.uk
Every Sat 2-4pm & after school on Tue & Thurs-South London Gallery-–020 7703 6120 -The Shop of Possibilities for children & families living on five neighbouring estates, Pelican, Southampton Way, Elmington, Wyndham & Comber, & Sceaux Gardens are invited to play at after school & weekend workshops in this recently renovated former retail outlet on the Sceaux Gardens housing estate.
Every weekend-London Transport Museum--Covent Garden -020 7379 6344-The Family Station choose some FREE activities to do as you explore the museum, families all ages. Ongoing Family Station All Year Round activities for families, 3-12yrs.
Every weekend-Tate Modern-Bankside–020 7887 8008-Open Studio play & create with ideas & materials from artworks in the collection displays for all ages. Daily Family resources with paper based activities for families all ages, FREE. Daily Children’s Multimedia Guide keeps children entertained & animates art works through music, video clips &entertaining games, 5+yrs. Daily Under 5’s Zone a new play space for families, FREE. Every weekend Start Sessions with games, map making & clue matching, 5+yrs, FREE.
Every weekend-Rich Mix-Bethnal Green–020 7613 7498-Kids’ Cine Time family films.
Every weekend-Temple Station-–020 7222 1234-Harry Potter Locations Tour, 2 ½ hrs.
Every weekend-Greenwich Clocktower Market –Greenwich High Road—Quirky weekend market has 50 stalls specialising in vintage, retro & antiques with a few contemporary craft stalls, FREE entry, www.clocktowermarket.co.uk
Every weekend-Tate Britain-Millbank London–020 7887 8888-Liminal invites visitors into a physical, material & social experience of sculpture through touch, interaction & collaboration, all ages, FREE. Every weekend Art Trolley sessions encourages children to imagine & create collages & lots more, FREE. Every Weekend Children’s Multimedia Guide fun & interactive a sensory experience for all the family to enjoy, 5+yrs. Daily Family Resources provides questions & activities which encourage children & families to explore art works, FREE. Daily Family Trails, under 5’s, FREE.
Every weekend in Sept –The Royal Observatory--Greenwich -020 8858 4422-Every weekend throughout September, Meet the Time Travellers, 7+yrs. Until 4 Jan Longitude Punk’d celebrates the creation of wacky inventors, all ages, www.rmg.co.uk/visit
Until 6 Sept-New London Theatre –Drury Lane–0844 412 4600-The Elephantom about a little girl who is unexpectedly visited by a giant blue ghost elephant, 3+yrs daytime performances at 10,11.30a.m & 2.30p.m.
Until 7 Sept –Natural History Museum-Cromwell Road–020 7942 5000-Mammoths: Ice Age Giants exhibitions, www.nhm.ac.uk/mammoths .Until 14 Sept Sensational Butterflies family friendly exhibition allows you to wonder through a tropical enclosure, discovering the science behind these delicate creatures & their amazing life cycles as they evolve from crawling caterpillars into beautiful butterflies, www.nhm.ac.uk/sensationalbutterflies. Until 28 Sept Britian: One Million Years of the Human Story exhibition, www.nhm.ac.uk/britainmillionyears. Daily Who Do You Think You Really Are state of the art interactive film, www.nhm.ac.uk/film FREE. Daily Family Explorer backpacks filled with explorer’s tools, drawing materials & fun activities to help children make exciting discoveries in the galleries, www.nhm.ac.uk/education. under 7’s FREE. 20 Sept Dino Snores for 7-11yrs, www.nhm.ac.uk/dino-snores. Daily Investigate Centre explore hundreds of real natural history specimens, from a shark’s jaw to a meteorite as old as Earth in their hands-on science centre, families 7+yrs, FREE.
Until 28 Sept-Buckingham Palace The State Rooms-Buckingham Palace Road –020 7766 7300-Royal childhood special exhibition spanning more than 250 years bringing together objects form the Royal Collection, the Royal Archives & the private collections of members of the Royal Family, as well as previously unseen photographs & film footage, www.royalcollection.org.uk
5-9 Sept –River Thames Greenwich-—Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta 2014, up to 50 ships will gather in Greenwich for 4 days of festivities, www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallshops
6-7 Sept –Cutty Sark ––020 8858 7755-Family fun weekend, Tiny Tall Ships Festival make your very own tiny tall ship, all ages. Until 30 Sept Doctor Geof’s Fantastical Steampunk Tea Museum, drink tea, love tea, sample Doctor Geof’s tea, all ages. Every weekend in Sept Cutty Sark characters, stories brought to life by characters from the ships past, 3+yrs, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark
6-7 Sept –HMS Belfast-Tooley Street–020 7940 6320 020 7403 0719(f)-Totally Thames, Cracking codes with drop in family activity sessions where you can intercept messages, map hazards & even make up your own code. You’ll also learn about the skills intelligence officers had to have as well as some of the dangers that surrounded HMS Belfast. Until 31 Dec D-Day Family Trail. Ongoing HMS Belfast Private Tours with exclusive behind the barrier access, discover some of the quirky sailors’ stories of living & working on board including the time a reindeer joined the crew! www.iwm.org.uk
6,13,20,27 Sept –National Maritime Museum--Greenwich-020 8312 6565-Explore Saturdays, meet a character from the past & take part in an exciting performance, 6+yrs, FREE. 7,14,21,28 Sept Discover Sundays, explore your personal connections to the sea, all ages, FREE. 9,16,23,30 Sept Play Tuesdays with music, dance & drama, families, under 5’s, www.rmg.co.uk/visit.
8-13 Sept –Peacock Theatre-Portugal Street off Kingsway–0870 737 0337-British Youth Opera, The Little Green Swallow, Tel: 08444 124322.
11 Sept-The Scoop at More London –South Bank–020 7403 4866-The Croods animated comedy adventure, 4+yrs, FREE. 24 Sept The Lego Movie, 4+yrs, FREE.
11-13 Sept-Unicorn Theatre for Children-147 Tooley Street–020 7645 0560-Tales from MP3 with live music beat boxing & projection new play for 13+yrs. 18 Sept-12 Oct The Secret Life of Suitcases. 20-28 Sept Something Very Far Away, 8+yrs. Until 2 Nov See Saw, 2+yrs.
13 Sept-Hyde Park ––020 7306 8056-BBC Proms in the Park with a wide ranging line up of top act to include
Tenor Vittorio Grigolos, soprano Pumeza Matshikiza, Rufus Wainwright & Earth, Wind & Fire.
13 Sept-Dulwich Grove Church Hall-–0794 3327312-Jumble Sale 11-1 p.m, all proceeds go toward the upkeep of Dulwich Church.
13-21 Sept-Design Museum-Shad Thames–0870 833 9955-London Design Festival, www.londondesignfestival.com
13-21 Sept –Victoria & Albert Museum-Cromwell Road–020 7942 2000 www.vam.ac.uk -London Design Festival with a number of themed events, talks & workshops celebrating design. 20-21 Sept Digital Design Weekend a weekend of interactive installations, robotics, inventive electronics, workshops, demonstrations & family activities celebrating digital art & design, FREE, drop in. Every Sat in Sept Pop Up Performances with children joining in an interactive performance plus costume & drama workshops celebrating the role of costume in the 1980’s music scene, FREE, drop in for all the family. Every Sun Drop in Design on selected days, participants can create a 3D sculpture with wire inspired by the museum’s collections, FREE, drop in, 5+yrs. Daily Back Packs families can pick up an activity back pack filled with jigsaws, stories & games to explore the collection, 4-11yrs, Activity Cart hands on art fun for children to create a Samuri helmet, a silver goblet or an elephant mask to take home, FREE, drop in plus Agent Animal bag a sensory activity bag that has been developed for under 5’s containing an audio map & fabric cubes, FREE, www.vam.ac.uk
14 Sept-Kensington Town Hall-Hornton Street–01273 697974-Hugglets Teddies with 170 exhibitors selling new & antique bears plus a teddy bear hospital, www.hugglets.co.uk.
14 Sept-Greenwich Park-–020 7239 3164-Run to the Beat help to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, 13.1 miles, www.gosh.org/gen/events-and-appeals/run/half-marathon/run-to-the-beat/
20 Sept –Hyde Park –—Mouth Cancer 10K Awareness Walk, the start & finish area is at the Bandstand, FREE to enter, start 1 p.m, www.mouthcancerwalk.org, 01924 950950.
20 Sept-Museum of Childhood-Bethnal Green–020 8983 5200-Play with Design a workshop to design a game & watch a 3D printer create well known games characters, FREE, drop in suitable for all the family. 28 Sept Join the Big Draw Party with special guests, Jacqueline Wilson & illustrator Nick Sharratt with a day of events to include giant print making with the Culture Cart, a treasure hunt & origami boat racing, FREE, drop in for all the family, www.vam.ac.uk/moc. Sponsored by Faber-Castell Until 12 Nov Daydreams & Diaries, the story of Jacqueline Wilson one of Britain’s best loved children’s authors exhibition.
20-21 Sept –Benjamin Franklin House-36 Craven Street–020 7839 2008-Open House with half hourly guided tours taking place throughout the day, FREE, www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org.
20-21 Sept –Old Royal Naval College-–01494 764932-Open House with areas not usually open to the public with a FREE talk or tour, 10-4.30 p.m.
20-21 Sept –London Open House Weekend-—You can visit more than 800 buildings including the View from the Shard plus also the chance to learn more about the city’s edifices and landscapes with FREEarchitecture-themed walks, cycle rides & debates, www.openhouselondon.org.uk
20-21 Sept –Imperial War Museum-Lambeth Road- -020 7416 5439-Peace weekend come & fold an origami paper crane to commemorate World Peace Day & join a creative drop in discussion for young people of all ages FREE. 4-5 Oct Introduction to the Holocaust session 14+yrs. Every Sun Object Conservations family object handling sessions & Creative Response make a creative response to themes held within the new atrium & Terraced Galleries. Ongoing A Family in Wartime exhibition explores the lives of William & Alice Allpress & their ten children & what life in London was like during the war. A Family in Wartime is brought to life through interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage & more, FREE. www.iwm.org.uk
21 Sept-Geffrye Museum-Kingsland Rd–020 7739 9893-Brilliant Bunting create ceramic inspired bunting to hang in your home, FREE drop in session, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk. Every weekend & school hols Geffrye explorers with FREE activity backpacks, audio guides, feely box, quizzes & trails.
23-27 Sept –The Pheasantry, Pizza Express Jazz Club –Kings Road —Jazz FM hosts Junior Latin jam, get kids excited about music a fun family afternoon of pizza & percussion for kids with all sorts of percussion instruments & try out dancing to these fun & fascinating rhythms, FREE entry to the Jam for under 5’s, to book www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk, 12-2.30 p.m
27 Sept –London Trekathon-–01722 718444-Walk 26 miles in a day, walking west from the Olympic Park passing famous sights including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye passing through parks & waterways & finishing on the Thames at Greenwich by the Cutty Sark, 01722 718444 www.discoveradventure.com/challenge.
27-28 Sept-Kensington Olympia West Halls-Hammersmith Road—Vegfest UK with health food cookery demos, entertainment for children & rows &rows of exhibitors offering plant based version of almost anything you can think of to include meat FREE chicken & steak, fish FREE smoked salmon & tuna, vegan desserts, healthy breakfast ideas & lots more, entrance under 16’s FREE, www.londonfest.co.uk
28 Sept-Lammas Park Park-Ealing–0113 210 8800-Ealing Half Marathon a mass participation race starting & finishing in the park, start 9.15 a.m, www.epilepsy.org.uk/ealing, Tel: 0113 210 8797.
2-4 Oct –Barbican Theatre –Silk Street –020 7638 8891 www.lso.co.uk -Boy Blue Entertainment The Five & the Prophecy of Prana, 7+yrs.
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