What have you got planned next week? We’ve got a mini round up of fun things to help you keep the kids busy this half term in East London.
The last half term of the school year and it looks like the weather might just be on our side this time! We’ve included lots of free options to help you through. Hope you find something fun to do. Don’t forget to tag @eastendkids if you post on social media after checking out an event you find here. We’d love to know we’ve inspired you to get out and explore together.
1 MCM Comicon at Excel
Gather your promising padawans, wizards in training and little superheroes! Meet your favourite film, gaming and anime stars. Dance in the sunshine at the MCM Fringe Stage. Battle your friends in tabletop tournaments and play the hottest console games around. Children aged ten and under go free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Their Treehouse family area will be a great place to hang out. Children ten and under do not require their own ticket, and all attendees over the age of ten require a standard ticket.
Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2023 10 am (priority tickets) or 12 pm – 6 pm
ExCeL London1 Western Gateway, Royal Docks London, England E16 1XL
Tickets £17-27.50 KIDS UNDER 10 GO FREE
2 The Lost Feather
An especially inclusive performance is coming to Greenwich Theatre from Oily Cart. Inviting audiences to interact as everyone becomes part of the storytelling action and opens up the cart together – bursting with colours, textures, music and puppets- to discover the story of ‘The Lost Feather ’. Featuring live music and sensory play – expect a fast, upbeat and noisy performance. It’s a relaxed environment where children are able to move around and make noise (in fact, it’s encouraged!)
Friday 2nd June 2023 11 am and 1:30 pm
Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London, SE10 8ES
Kids £7.50, Adults £12.50
3 The Wolves in the Walls 6+
A comedy thriller for kids. When Lucy hears noises from behind the walls, she tries to warn her family that there are wolves lurking inside their house. But her family don’t listen. Then one day, the wolves come out, evicting Lucy and her family to live at the bottom of the garden. But it’s not all over. Lucy gathers her courage, as her battle against the wolves is only just beginning.
12th May to 23rd July 2023 various times
Little Angel Theatre, Sebbon St, London N1 2EH
£12 kids £14 adults All tickets are £8 on Fridays at 4.45pm
4 Bank Holiday Family Disco
Dress up and join the family fun this bank holiday with Big Penny Social resident party starters, duo Ray & CC. Is it the coolest Disco in town? You decide. The kids will love the bubbles, interactive games, prizes and singalongs – all to a playlist of awesome tunes that kids AND parents will want to boogie to.
Sunday, 28th May 2023 10 am – 1:30 pm
1 Priestley Way, London, E17 6AL
£7 per human, under 3s are free.
5 Squirrel 6 mths – 4 yrs
Squirrel loves a good acorn. But not all acorns are good. Some are downright second rate. And Squirrel is fussy like that. Under the light of the sun, between the houses and the offices, and the rivers and the factories, Squirrel has buried their favourite acorn collection. But he may need a little help remembering just where he hid it. Head to the Unicorn Theatre for a story of new growth and new beginnings with a sprinkling of magic and puppetry mayhem thrown in. Children are actively encouraged to take part in the show.
Saturday 27th May – Sunday 2nd July 2023
Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, London, SE1 2HZ
Under 18s £11 – £13 / Adults £16 – £18
6 Hire a Moo Canoe
Row, row, row your boat! Get in a kayak or a canoe, or stand up on a paddleboard. Just try not to fall in. No really, Moe Canoes are quite stable and it’s a fun way to get around. Based at the Milk Float in Costa del Hackney Wick where you can enjoy some summer time vibes ice creams and cocktails. Kayaks are suitable for: 2 adults, 1 adult + 1 child, or 2 adults + 1 child under 4yrs while canoes can fit 3 people. There are options to travel from a Point A to a Point B for an additional fee.
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 am + Bank Holiday Monday from 11 am
Milk Float, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Ln, London E9 5EN
£15 SUP, £26 Kayak, £36 Canoe
Tall Stories
7 Family Fun at the Southbank Centure
With great live performances including The Gruffalo, Yellow, toooB and the Marvelous Myth Hunter, the Southbank Centre is where it’s at this half term.
Wednesday 31st May to 4th June 2023, various times
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Tickets various prices – Marvelous Myth Hunter is free
8 Party Parlour Games & The Curious Case of Polly Pickles
Lots of fun to finish the month of May at the Museum of London Docklands. Enjoy an interactive and musical family show that takes you back in time to Victorian London where you will meet Polly, a pickpocket with a penchant for danger. Families can also join in the festivities by dancing, singing and being silly at the MOLD Victorian fete. Turn back the clock and get everyone involved in traditional games and old-fashioned family fun.
30th May 2023 – 2nd June 2023
Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
Free
9 Head out for some splashy fun
It’s finally going to be properly sunny! They took out the old paddling pool in Clissold Park and put in a Splash Pad. It opened last year and it’s getting rave reviews! The QE Olympic Park fountains are on too between 10 am – 5 pm except on London Stadium event days. The latest news on Vicky Park’s fountains is that they were being tested this week with the aim of opening next week.
Splash pad opening hours: 11 am – 6 pm
Clissold Park Mansions, Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 9HJ
Free but you need to prebook
10 Room for All – Pride Family Day
Kick-off Pride celebrations this June with a fun-filled family day at the Museum of the Home. Expect arts, crafts, and storytelling to explore the themes of diversity, acceptance, and uniqueness at the heart of Pride. Renowned storyteller Dan de la Motte in our cosy Reading Room, where he will share the history and meaning of pride. Unleash your creativity with Kadir Karababa and make a unique statement by designing your own personalised t-shirts or tote bags.
Friday 2nd June 2023 10:30 am – 4 pm
Museum of the Home, 36 Kingsland Rd, London E2 0EA
FREE
Are you looking for some last minute childcare this half term in East London? Check out Strings Club or Pollyanna Training Theatre has a great creative workshop.
