We’ve made it through January and we are a month closer to warm weather, flowering trees and more outdoorsy fun. This month we have covered lots of fun in art galleries and museums, cookery lessons to get the kids in the kitchen some family friendly exhibitions, a brilliant kid’s fashion show and lots more.
Save the bees
Be inspired by the latest show running at the Unicorn and make bees to remind yourself (and your grown-up) of how important they are.
When: 1, 8, 15, 29 Feb 2020 12- 2pm
Where: Unicorn Theatre
How much: free, for more info and booking here.
Family Heritage Day
Hands-on sessions for families run in partnership with the Marble Hill Play Centre where you can explore the rich history of Marble Hill and park. There will be interactive activities including messy play, creative arts and crafts and games and tasks in the park’s grounds.
When: 2 Feb 2020 1:30 – 4:30pm
Where: Marble Hill House
How much: Included with the price of admission for £7.80 per adult and £4.70 for a child over the age of 5. More info and booking here.
Tu b’Shevat Family Day
Celebrate the Birthday of trees with an afternoon of environment themed activities including designing a stained glass leaf, making colourful fruit out of clay and a tree themed scavenger hunt.
When: Sunday 2 Feb 2020, 1-4pm
Where: Jewish Museum
How much: £8.50 for and adult and £4 for a child more info & booking here.
Mini Change Makers
No one is too small to make a difference in this environmental themed family fun day run by London based illustrator and educator, Grace Holliday. Expect to introduce themes like equality and the environment through stories, games and hands-on activities
When: 6 Feb 2020 10:30 – 12pm
Where: House of Illustration
How much: £6 for an adult and one child. More info and booking here.
Meet Vincent Van Gogh
Immerse yourself (and your young Londoners) in the life and work of one of the most famous artists around. Listen to the artist as he speaks directly to you and learn about his hope, his despair, his inspiration and his friendships in a magical and emotional journey through his life, learn his techniques and take a selfie in Vincent’s bedroom.
When: 7 Feb 2020 – 22 May 2020
Where: 99 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
How much: adults from £16.50 on a weekday and £18.50 on the weekend, children over the age of 2 are £12.50 on a weekday and £14.50 on the weekend. More info and booking here.
Tortellini Cooking Class
Learn all about the ingredients, where they come from and how to use them, before making a meal from scratch. The kids make a variety of recipes: homemade pasta, gnocchi, macarons, crepes and healthy dessert. After all the hard work, every kid gets to eat or to take home what they made. Recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 7 Feb 2020 4pm until 5pm
Where: Chelsea Creperie
How much: £19 more info and bookings here.
Under 5s Play Session
Take part in sensory activities moving around the V&A. Step into the wonderful world of the V&A book, Clara Button and the Magical Hat Day.
When: 7 Feb 2020
Where: V&A
How much: free more info here.
The Bee in me
This exceptional new production is both joyful and demanding, touching on the challenges of urban life for an isolated and neglected child overcoming day-to-day encounters. For ages 8 to 12.
When: 7 Feb 2020 – 1 March 2020
Where: Unicorn Theatre
How much:
Green Stem Festival: Our Planet
The Green STEM Festival – Our Planet sounds like an event Greta Thunberg would be proud of. It’s funded by the UK Science festival Network and ARM and aims to empower children and families from London understand how our actions impact on the future of Earth, how we can live more sustainably and environmentally responsible, and how Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths can help us to protect our Planet.
When: 8 Feb 2020 10am until 4pm
Where: University of Greenwich
How much: free
Kew Orchid Festival
Kew’s 25th annual Orchid Festival will celebrate the incredible wildlife and vibrant culture of Indonesia expect vibrant colours and life-sized animals decorated with hundreds of tropical flowers, in celebration of Indonesia’s rich diversity of fauna. Bright orange orangutans, crouching tiger and rhinoceros are just some of the creatures that will star in the show.
When: 8 Feb – 8 March 2020
Where: Kew Gardens
How much: Entry to the Orchid Festival is free with a Kew Gardens ticket which costs £16.50 for an adult £8 for 16 to 24 year olds and £4.50 for a child aged 4 and above. More info and booking here.
Chinese New Year family festival
Celebrate the Year of the Rat at this family festival located close to London’s original Chinatown in Limehouse. There will be dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, creative workshops and much more throughout the weekend. This family-friendly event is a perfect way to introduce the little ones to the traditions of the New Year and Chinese culture. Recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 8 & 9 Feb 2020 11am until 4:30pm
Where: Museum of London Docklands
How much: Free (but some activities will be available to book online and may carry a charge). More info and booking here.
Guildhall Art Gallery Family Day
On the second Saturday of the month Guildhall Art Gallery opens its doors for families to take part in a variety of activities. The 8th of Feb event will be themed around the Pre-Raphaelites as the prize painting La Ghirlandata will have just gone back on display after a year long conservation project. As well as arts and crafts there is also a story corner, the gallery itself and building bricks for younger visitors.
When: 8 February 11 am til 4pm
Where: Guildhall Art Gallery
How much: free more info here.
Boh Boh’s New Friends
Boh Boh finds himself unique and different from others, will he be able to make new friends? An interactive adventure that allows families to explore the galaxy together with Boh Boh the alien. Expect to sing and dance through space, expanding Cantonese vocabulary, working on motor skills and most of all having fun! This is a bilingual performance, suitable for children aged 3-6 years old and accompanying adults.
When: 8 & 9 Feb 2020
Where: Little Angel Theatre
How much: £13.50 for adults and 11:50 for kids. More info and bookings here.
Under 5’s Mud
Join London Wildlife Trust for storytelling, outdoor activities and arts and crafts. Enjoy some mud-themed art activities, come on a muddy walk around the Wetlands and take part in sensory play.
When: 10 Feb 2020 10am -3pm
Where: Walthamstow Wetlands
How much: free – just turn up. More info here.
Little Feet
A chance to see the Troy exhibition with the kids in tow. Dig through the layers of time to discover objects which help us understand the everyday life of the people who lived and worked in Troy.
When: 12 Feb 2020 10:30 until 12
Where: British Museum
How much: free more info here
Genders Exhibition
The exhibition will feature artworks and installations co-designed by artists, local LGBTQ young people and Science Gallery London’s Young Leaders (a group of 15-25-year olds who study at King’s or who live, work, or study in Southwark and Lambeth). Explore how we experience gender by having your picture taken with a non binary Instagram filter, play video games where you can explore the experience of a trans person and learn about the bonding hormone Oxytocin.
When: 13 Feb 2020
Where: Science Gallery
How much: free more info here.
Mini Mode
If you are into kid’s fashion then Mini Mode if the place to be. Pioneering is diversity, inclusivity and sustainability, the show will showcase designers from around the world and place a unique spotlight on children’s fashion (from toddlers through to teens). As well as some There are lots of awwww and aaah moments too as the models are very cute.
When: 15 February
Where: St Mary’s London Venue Hire
How much: £30 for adults and £10 for kids with babes in arms going free. More info and booking here.
Chamber Music Festival: Family Create
If you are keen for the opportunity to play music with others in a small group, charismatic tuba player Mike Poyser is guaranteed to make you feel welcome and get you enthused with this fun, practical and creative workshop exploring an accessible selection of chamber music. The young and talented Salome String Quartet, formed at the RCM in 2016, will also be there for a special performance! Suitable for kids aged 6 and above.
When: 15 February 2020 from 10:30am
Where: Royal College of Music
How much: £15 more info and booking here.
Fairy Tales
This new immersive exhibition has been designed with with illustrator David Litchfield creator of the award-winning The Bear and the Piano, and author Ross Montgomery, who has worked with David on the picture books The Building Boy and Space Tortoise. After a storytelling session under 5s can step into the fairy tale town to discover a world of giants, palaces, gingerbread houses and treasure caves. Trip trap over a bridge (but watch out for the troll!), join in the palace disco with the musicians of Bremen, sit in a giant’s footprint and pop into town to pay a visit to Anansi’s newsroom. Visit the market and help Jack win some magic beans, search for treasures in the magical cave, and stop by Grandma’s caravan (why is her face so furry…?)
When: from 15 Feb 2020
Where: Discover Story Centre
How much: £2 as well as entry to the centre which costs £6.50 for an adult more info and booking here.
Permian Monsters
The new Permian exhibition opening in February at the Horniman Museum is any kid’s dream. Dinosaurs, fossil skeletons and full-size models and animatronics as well as interactive dig pits and an art area. Exploring the mysterious Permian time period when life on Earth was dominated by extraordinary creatures until a mass extinction paved the way for the next great rulers… the dinosaurs.
When: 15 Feb 2020 – 1 November 2020
Where: Horniman Museum & Gardens
How much: Adults £8 and children £4.50 more info and booking here.
London Puddle Jumping Championships
Come rain or shine, the Puddle Jumping Championships are the perfect activity for the whole family. Put on your wellies, get out into nature, get muddy and have a splashing time! Take on the challenge of the Puddle Jumping obstacle course, competing against your family and friends to see who can make the biggest splash.
When: 15 – 23rd Feb 2020
Where: London Wetland Centre
How much: £11.70 for an adult and £7.11 for a child over 4 with children under 4 going free. More info and booking here.
The Great Stink
Travel back in time with storyteller Emily Grazebrook to the stench-filled summer of 1858 in this interactive session. Hold your nose as you move through the museum galleries and discover the dirt, disease and pollution which created the Thames’ Great Stink! Recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 15 & 16 Feb 2020 at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm for 30min sessions
Where: Museum of London Docklands
How much: free more info here.
Why Beethoven Threw the Stew
As the world celebrates his 250th birthday, the LPO introduces your family to one of the most brilliant composers in the history of music. Why was he so grumpy? Why did he rarely have a bath? How did he overcome being deaf? And most importantly, why should you never serve him stew? Inspired by the book of the same name by cellist Steven Isserlis.
When: Sun 16 Feb 2020 at 12pm
Where: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
How much: £16-24 for an adult and £8-£12 for a child. More info and booking here.
Monster soup puppets
The Thames was once so foul and full of yucky bacteria that an artist called William Heath named the water ‘monster soup’! Join Moth Physical Theatre to make your own bacteria-inspired monster soup sock puppet. Then discover tricks and tips to perform with it. Recommended age: 3+
When: 18 Feb 2020 at 10:30 until 12:30 and again at 1:30 til 3:30
Where: Museum of London Docklands
How much: free more info here.
Paper Animators
Look around the ‘Picasso and Paper’ exhibition and discover all the inventive ways Pablo Picasso used paper, from when he was a young child to the height of his career. Take a tour of the Picasso and Paper exhibition, then create a cubist-inspired collage of your own and learn how to animate it using stop-motion techniques. Led by artist Gemma Burditt. Suitable for kids aged 7 and above.
When: 19 Feb 10am until 12pm and 1pm until 3pm
Where: Royal Academy of Arts
How much: £18 per person, more info and booking here.
Gingerbread Baking Workshop
Learn how to make gingerbread folk alongside expert in-house chefs. Decorate your gingerbread people and take them home to share with the family. Meet in the Stables Cafe wearing clothes to cook in. Also, bring some airtight Tupperware to take your food home.
When: 20 Feb 2020 at 10:30am – 12:30
Where: Rainham Hall
How much: £15 more info and booking here.
Rainbow Families Day
In celebration of LGBT History Month, take part in storytelling sessions, craft workshops and family tours around themes of diversity and acceptance.There will be drag queen story time, a pop-up photo booth and loads of arts and crafts.
When: 20 Feb 2020 11am -4pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery
How much: free
International Animation Festival: Amazing Animations
Twelve short animated films from all around the world featuring lots of very cheeky animals and feisty children in a whole load of extraordinary adventures. Especially perfect for 0-7 year-olds.
When: 22 Feb 2020
Where: Barbican Centre
How much: £2.50 for under 18s and £3.50 for over 18s more info and booking here
ZOG
Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three.
When: 22 & 23 February 2020
Where: Arts Depot Finchley
How much: Tickets start at £9 more info and bookings here.
Family Fun Day: The Kingmaker
The Bishop of London, Henry Compton, risked his life when he joined other noblemen and invited William to take the throne from King James II. Explore this period of intrigue, rebellion and treason. There’ll be activities and crafts including secret letters and hands on archaeology!
When: 23 Feb 2020
Where: Fulham Palace
How much: free more info here.