November 2024: What's on London with kids

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I almost didn’t send this newsletter as I’m so strapped for time. But I know from you that these guides really save your bacon. So instead, I’ve set a timer and I’m going to bash this out in record time. This issue features 20 top picks for November, plus 10 activities tailored for Under 5s.

I hope you all had a great half term. Last weekend we hunted for spiders in the ‘little Gothic mansion’ Strawberry Hill House and crafted paper lanterns for Diwali at Marble Hill. I was back to work this week but popped into Pumpkin Light Up Night at Dalston Curve Garden (you can see my Reel here) and checked out the Kensington house decorations for Halloween.

I’m running an advert this month - it’s the one with the beach below. If everyone who opened this newsletter clicked the link in the ad, it would cover my year’s worth of hosting fees. So please click the ad - it costs you nothing and you don’t need to buy anything.

In other news, you can hear me advocating for the culture sector on Stella Creasy MP’s Mummafesto podcast. And this month I’ll be presenting at Museum Next on how cultural places can get the best out of working with microinfluencers. Better crack on so I have time to prepare the talk!

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November 2024: What’s on London with kids

Here’s my selection of 20 things to do with the kids this month, from Diwali to Day of the Dead and the first Christmas events.

If you’re still looking for somewhere to meet the man in red, check out my Christmas Grotto post. It even got a shout out in The Sun!

1. BOOST: Family Festival at V&A South Kensington, SW7: Enjoy zine-making, make up workshops, costume making, Korean-inspired fruit preserving workshops, abstract face painting, seed exchanges, and a Design Baby drawing session. 2 November 2024. Free, drop in.

2. Diwali family day at Museum of the Home, E2: Join Bollywood dance workshops with costumes, hear Ramayana storytelling, create Patchy Rangoli art, and explore a Diwali-themed playhouse with festive textiles and decorations. 2 November 2024. Free, drop in.

3. Day of the Dead: Join in with family-friendly celebrations at Camden Market, NW1 (2 November 2024), and Hackney Bridge, E15 (2-3 November 2024, free/paid).

4. It’s Bonfire Night! The best bet for little ones is Coram’s Field fireworks, WC1 due to its earlier start (5 November 2024. Free, drop in). If you’re looking for big bangs, Ally Pally Fireworks Festival, N22 is your best bet (1-2 November 2024. Paid, book). I’m sharing your recommendations for London fireworks displays on my Instagram stories.

5. Poppy Fields at the Tower at the Tower of London, EC3: See an immersive light and sound show with a message of collective peace, and enjoy special access to the Crown Jewels after hours. 8-16 November 2024. Paid, book. 

6. The Lord Mayor’s Show: Head to the City for the oldest, longest, least rehearsed and best loved civic procession in the world. 9 November 2024. Free, drop. There’s also face painting at the Bank of England Museum (free, drop in), Second Saturdays family activities at Guildhall Art Gallery (free, booking advised), and free entry to the ground floor of St Paul’s Cathedral plus £10 dome climbs (book/drop in).

7. Drop-In Diwali - Family Day at V&A South Kensington, SW7: Print your own Diwali cards with Indian woodblocks and embroider Mughal designs onto a collaborative fabric. 9 November 2024. Free, drop in.

8. Family Fun Day: We Built This City at RIBA London, W1: Build on tricky terrains, engage in digital drawing with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, create a clay eco-den, and construct on mountains with Lego. 9 November 2024. Free, registration recommended.

9. UNIQLO Tate Play Make Studio: The Joy of Feeling at Tate Modern, SE1: Create a sensory sculpture with tactile materials, exploring shapes, colors, and textures. Weekends from 9 November 2024-12 February 2025, plus Wednesdays for Under 5s. Free, drop in.

10. Gunnersbury Park Museum, W5: Celebrate the People's Unite! exhibition with a free embroidery and block printing workshop exploring home, community, and unity and a bhangra dance session. 10 November 2024. Free, donations welcome. Drop in.

11. Christmas at Kew, TW9: London’s best paid-for light trail returns with larger than life illuminations, a vintage funfair and the chance to wave to Father Christmas on route. 13 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. Paid, book. IMO, it’s best ages 5+ due to its length.

12. Skate at Somerset House, WC2: Our favourite London skate experience returns. Special Kids Skate Club sessions create a safe, fun, friendly environment for ages 6-10 to take their first glide on the ice. 13 November 2024-12 January 2025. Paid, book.

13. Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail: Waddle through Fleet Street Quarter to find 12 adorable penguin sculptures, each uniquely decorated. Scan the QR code for penguin facts narrated by Olaf Falafel. From 14 November 2024 ‘for eight weeks’. Free, drop in.

14. Christmas lights switch ons: The best one for kids are Chelsea Christmas Lights (16 November 2024), Belgravia Christmas Lights Switch On Party (17 November 2024) and the Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights at Greenwich Market (20 November 2024). White Christmas at the Brunswick (*date correction* 20 November 2024) needs to be on your list too. All free, drop in.

15. Family Day - The Magic of Storytelling at William Morris Gallery, E17: A storytelling adventure inspired by new exhibition William Morris and Art from the Islamic World. Enjoy mythical tales, art, and culture led by Palestinian storyteller Elias Matar. 16 November 2024. Free, drop in. Ages 5+.

16. Cabrolé Workshop – Flamenco Puppet making workshop at Stanley Arts, SE25: Create a unique puppet from sustainable material sand learn flamenco dance steps together! 16 November 2024. Free, book. For ages 5-8.

17. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Place, SW1: A New York high schooler is thrust into the danger-filled world of Greek mythology in this rock adaptation of the much-loved children’s book. 22 November 2024-3 February 2025. Paid, book. Ages 8+.

18. The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse at Kings Place, N1: Expect lots of fun audience participation, beautiful set design, sublime music-making from the players of Aurora Orchestra, a guest narrator, and Jon Klassen’s instantly recognisable illustrations. 23 November 2024. Paid, book. Best ages 4-8.

19. Mars at Old Royal Naval College, SE10: Completing the trilogy of Luke Jerram’s works in the stunning Painted Hall, this one will be all over your ‘gram. It’s a great excuse to (re)visit one of London’s most jaw-dropping spaces. 23 November 2024–28 January 2025. Paid, book.

20. Sparkle in the Park at Charlton House and Gardens, SE7: New location for 2024! Charlton Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland with light installations, a Christmas market, a fun fair, and performances by local schools and choirs. 28 November-1 December 2024. Free, drop in.

Book ahead: Christmas Family Day at Westminster Abbey, SW1, on 7 December 2024, will release tickets mid-November. Free, book.

And if you’re looking for arts without the ankle biters, here’s my picks for adults this month:

• Picasso: Printmaker at British Museum, WC2: Explore the famous artist’s printing talents in this major exhibition, from his first ever professional print in 1904 to his famous 1970s works. 7 November 2024-30 March 2025. Paid, book.

• The 80s: Photographing Britain at Tate Britain, SW1: Capturing the social and political upheavals of 1980s Britain, including race uprisings, miner strikes, and AIDS activism. 21 November 2024-4 May 2025. Paid, book.

• WriteIdea Festival at The Tower Hamlets Town Hall, E1: East London's free reading festival includes musician Jah Wobble, cook Dina Begum, historian Sarah Wise, The Gentle Author and Klezmer music. 22-24 November 2024. Free, book.

• Sea Shanty Festival at Cutty Sark, SE10: A fantastic day of sea shanty performances and workshops in celebration of the mighty tea clipper's 155th birthday. 23 November 2024. Paid.

• Electric Dreams at Tate Modern, SE1: A rare chance to experience incredible works of vintage tech art in action. 28 November 2024 – 1 June 2025. Paid, book.

Loving this newsletter? Forward to a friend - maybe they’ll join you on one of your outings!

November 2024: What’s On for Under 5s

1. Little Feet at British Museum, WC1: Make a flower headband and try your hand at the ancient writing form cuneiform at Ancient Assyrian adventure (7 November 2024) and explore the Silk Roads show in Exhibition Explorer (21 November 2024). Free, book museum entry. Under 5s.

2. Tuesday Tots at Garden Museum, SE1: This month’s storytelling sessions are The Quiet Little Firework with chalk crown making (5 November 2024), Winter Sleep (12 November 2024) and Hello Winter with snowflake printing (19 November 2024). Free, drop in on first come, first served basis. Under 5s.

3. Storytelling and Music with Paul Rubinstein at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1: Join in with interactive, musical stories inspired by the Museum’s many objects. 13 November 2024. Free, book. Under 3s and Under 5s sessions available.

4. Foundling Libraries Barking at Barking Learning Centre, IG11: Explore different materials, share creative experiences and create a masterpiece in this workshop with artist Laura X Carle. 14 November 2024. Free, drop in. Under 5s.

5. Tots Tunes Family Band at Southbank Centre, SE1: Shake, stomp and sing in an interactive musical workshop with live jazz and folk music. 15 November 2024. Paid, book. Ages 0-7.

6. Parents & Toddlers Group at The Living Room, A House for Artists, IG11: Play creative games, engage in sensory play and meet local parents. 16 November 2024. Free, book.

7. Toddler Takeover at Headstone Manor Museum, HA2: Little ones have the chance to be Security Guards, Archaeologists, Curators and more! 18 November 2024. Free, book. Under 5s.

8. Early Years Studio: Weaving at the Royal Academy of Arts, W1: Weave, knot, twist and layer different materials as you experiment with scale, pattern and texture and invent new weaving techniques. 20 November 2024. Free, drop in. Under 5s.

9. Family Under 5s workshops - The Jolly Postman at British Library, NW1: Join Anna Conomos-Wedlock for an interactive storytelling session. Explore the Library, meet fairy-tale characters, dress up, craft, and sing along. Spaces available for sessions 14 November 2024. Free, book. Under 5s.

10. Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, E14: This month it’s transport themed! 27 November 2024. Free, drop in. Under 5s.

And here’s a session I’ve not featured before, to book ahead - Little Teds Family Session at Wimbledon Museum, SW19: A fun filled session featuring songs, stories and activities. 12 January 2025. Paid, book.

For even more inspiration, check out my Under 5s cultural play sessions post.

Weekend events 2-3 November 2024

Some last minute ideas to light up your weekend. Check the links for more info and any booking details.

1. Wembley Park Diwali Weekend. 1-3 November 2024; the best day for families is 2 November 2024. Free.

2. St James Motoring Spectacle on Pall Mall, SW1. 2 November 2024. Free.

3. Play-in at Whitechapel Gallery, E1. 2 November 2024. Free.

4. Family and Children’s Tour at the Musical Museum, TW8. 2 November 2024. Paid.

5. Family Art Fun Day - Experimental Embroidery at Turf Project, CR0. 2 November 2024. Free.

6. inIlford Light Celebration Event 2024 at Redbridge Town Hall, IG1. 2 November 2024. Free.

7. Happy Birthday Elmer! at Southbank Centre, SE1. 3 November 2024. Free.

I hope this newsletter helps you have a fantastic month! My timer has buzzed, so it’s time to sign off.

Until next time,

Please check listings before heading out. Events can change or be cancelled at short notice; and, despite my best efforts, sometimes I make mistakes.