What’s on this autumn

Get your diaries at the ready because autumn is filled with spectacular family-friendly events, exhibitions and workshops. We’ve collated our top 10 mix of things to do with the kids but if you want more fun with your little ones keep an eye on @younglondonist Instagram.

Chelsea History Festival

Calling all history buffs – the brilliant Chelsea history Festival is back and there are a bunch of brilliant events to get involved in. Experience 2000 years of London’s history brought to life with a street through time, get playing on Giant Games for Little Soldiers at the National Army Museum and nose around a secret garden at the Chelsea Physic Garden open day. When: 18-26 Sep 2021 Where: throughout Chelsea How much: Mostly free with a few sessions for £6 – check the website for details.

chelseahistoryfestival.com

Colourscape Music Festival

Colourscape is a music festival inside an art installation filled with colour and strange acoustics. Get lost in this labyrinth made of inflatable tunnels and immerse yourself in the colour and strange sounds. It’s a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours and an amazing experience to share with your little people. When: 11-19 Sep 2021 Where: Clapham Common How much: Adults £10 (weekends) £5 (weekdays) Kids £5 (weekends), £2 (weekdays)

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum

Get your skates on for a twirl (or a trip) for the last time in front of the magnificent Victorian building that is the Natural history Museum. There are plans to turn the space into a new year-round wildlife garden. Penguins are provided for children and last-minute bookings accepted. When: 22 Oct 2021-16 Jan 2022 Where: Natural History Museum How much: From £8 ticketmaster.com

Tiny Tea at Bluebird

Affordable afternoon tea for little people at Bluebird cafe on the King’s Road. Expect favourite teatime treats such as homemade strawberry Jammy Dodgers and Malteaser milkshakes. When: Thursday to Sunday during school holidays Where: Bluebird, Chelsea How much: £12pp including a drink

bluebird-restaurant.co.uk

Frieze Sculpture

Regent’s Park English garden is once again becoming an outdoor gallery and you can expect lots of masterpieces from the likes of Rasheed Araeen, Daniel Arsham, Anthony Caro, Gisela Colón, José Pedro Croft and loads more. Pack the kids and a picnic and enjoy sculptures and the colours of autumn in one of London’s iconic parks. When: 14 Sep-31 Oct 2021 Where: Regent’s Park How much: Free

frieze.com

Stick Man

The 2008 children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life in this jolly performance on stage. Expect laugh out loud moments, loads of audience participation, live music and puppetry alongside a visit from Santa. When: 23 October-3 January 2022 Where: Leicester Square Theatre How much: From £16 stickmanlive.com

The Flight of Babuscha Baboon

Family Rave at Fabric

Didn’t think family and rave belonged in the same sentence? Well think again! Big Fish Little Fish are bringing the best in rave culture: banging tunes, unity and escapism to fabric alongside balloons, bubbles and children’s activities – so get your rave on with your little people! The event is space themed and fancy dress is encouraged. When: 18 Sep 2:00pm-4:30pm Where: Fabric Nightclub How much: £9 for kids and £13 for adults

bigfishlittlefishevents.com

The story of a baboon who wants to fly to the moon in a hot-air balloon all told from a barge on the canal in Little Venice - yes you read that right. Check out a show at the Puppet Barge and enjoy a magical combination of string marionettes, shadow puppets, haunting music, beautiful lighting and moving poetry, suitable for ages 3 and above. When: 11 Sep-1 Nov Where: Puppet Barge Little Venice How much: Adults £13, children £9

puppetbarge.com

Peppa Pig Halloween Bus Tour

Take in the iconic views of London with Peppa Pig and her alliterative friends whilst you munch on Bridgit’s Bakery special themed afternoon tea delights. The bus will take you past some of the most famous London landmarks including Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Nelson’s Column, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and more. There will be singing, playing and lots more fun to be had. And there is a best dressed competition so get those spooky outfits dusted down. When: 22-24 October and 28-31 October Where: pick-up outside Somerset House How much: Adults £45, children £35

b-bakery.com

Christmas at Kew

The annual Insta friendly Christmas at Kew is back and you can expect the usual after-dark family friendly festivities including sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour on your way to the panoramic Palm House light display. Journey through the mesmerising flickering flames in the Fire Garden, spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way. When: 17 Nov-9 Jan 2022 Where: Kew Gardens How much: Off-peak £21.50 Peak £26.50

kew.org

Top 5 must go to parks this Autumn with @mummy_from_enfield Instagram Page for Days Out in London & Beyond

Cedars Park

Who loves a sculpture trail park ? This one also has a maze, a duck pond, a mini zoo and a cafe! Definitely Hertfordshire’s little hidden gem, Plus parking is totally free.

Cheshunt, Herts EN8 8RU

Golders Hill Park

This is a large park near Hampstead Heath with lots of features that include a big playground, free mini-zoo, a butterfly garden, pergola and a Cafe. Car park is restricted to Blue Badge holders only, Golders Green Station is only eight mins walk away.

Golders Hill, NW3 7HE

The Paddington Recreation Grounds

This playground was renovated two years ago and is ideal if you’re having a London Staycation with kids! The modern design is great, especially the row of houses that is actually the back of a slide!

Maida Vale, W9 1PD

Myddleton House Gardens

If you like history and flowers then this tranquil botanical garden is the one for you! Though it hasn’t got a playground, it’s very child-friendly as it sits on eight acres of land! It has a tea room and a museum too! Free entry.

Enfield, London En2 9HG

Harlow Town Park

Everyone loves a day out, but when it’s a Free day out then that’s something quite special! This park has a free farm, it also has a playground, picnic benches and lots of green space for dog owners.

Harlow, Essex CM20 2QQ

Meet the Author & Illustrator at Pickled Pepper

THAT DINOSAUR HAS TALENT Lily Murray and Richard Merritt

Sat 25 September 10:00am & 11:30am

Lily Murray and Richard Merritt are back with their latest picture book, That Dinosaur Has Talent! the highly anticipated follow-up to the best-selling Dinosaur Department Store that captured the imaginations of dino-loving children everywhere. They bring to Pickled Pepper a storytime event, with fantastic costumes to bring the book to life!

Tickets: £5 redeemable against the book Running time: 45 mins + signing Age: 2-7 years

RETURN OF THE PESTS Emer Stamp

Sat 2 October 10:00am & 11:30am

Watch out – the pests are back and they’re hairier and scarier than ever! Stix is the tiny but heroic mouse that could be living behind your washing machine. Meet the Pests in our glow-in-the-dark theatre space along with bestselling local author Emer Stamp, who will bring the characters to life and will read from the new book Return of the Pests.

Tickets: £5 redeemable against the book Running time: 45 mins + signing Age: 6+ years

UNIPIGGLE: WITCH EMERGENCY Hannah Shaw

Sat 23 October 11:00am

Calling all witches and wizards! Come along and celebrate Halloween with Hannah Shaw, the award-winning author and illustrator of the madcap adventure series, Unipiggle: The Unicorn Pig. Hannah will share her top tips for creating super spells and extraordinary enchantments, just like the ones from Unipiggle: Witch Emergency. Hannah will also show you how to step-bystep create your very own Unipiggle and other magical creatures from the series. Fancy dress is encouraged and there will be a prize for the best costume.

Tickets: £5 redeemable against the book Running time: 45 mins + signing Age: 6+ years

THE MUSEUM OF MARVELLOUS THINGS Kristina Stephenson

Sat 20 November 10:00am and 11:30am

Sensible, serious Norbert Norris knows ALL the important things: dinosaurs, planets, shapes and sums. But when the Museum of Marvellous Things is in trouble, Norbert doesn’t know what to do. Only magic can save it - and he knows nothing about magic! Norbert must learn to believe, because when you imagine incredible things, almost anything can happen. Join author Kristina Stephenson for a magical experience as she brings the tale to life with puppets and interactive storytelling.

Tickets: £12.99 redeemable against the book (£5 for siblings) Running time: 45 mins + signing Age: 2-7 years

SHIFTY MCGIFTY AND SLIPPERY SAM: SANTA’S STOLEN SLEIGH Steven Lenton

Sat 27 November 10:00am & 11:30am

Shifty and Sam are off to Lapland to bake a festive feast for Santa and his elves. But there’s a Christmas crisis – the elves are unwell and can’t finish the toys! Does mysterious stranger and gadget queen, Flo Frost, really want to help? Or could she have her eyes on the most magical gadget of all... Santa’s flying sleigh? It’s up to Shifty and Sam to race across the snowy slopes and save Christmas for everyone!

Tickets: £11.99 redeemable against the book (£5 for siblings) Running time: 45 mins + signing Age: 2-7 years