![\"Merge2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Merge2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn its fifth year, the Merge Festival <\/a>(running until 18th October) offers art, music and performance in venues big and small around Bankside. This weekend, if you\u2019re around the Southbank, check out the Riverside Stage<\/a> (outside Tate) and enjoy some live music. Supporting original writing and musical talent, enjoy the UK root scene from 12pm – 5pm on Saturday and 12pm – 4pm on Sunday.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, take the kids and make a family wish in Bompas & Parr\u2019s Chamber of Wishes<\/a>. \u00a0Inspired by the lost rich history of springs and wells in London\u2019s Bankside, enter this magical Grotto. \u00a0By tossing a unique wishing token into the water, you\u2019ll be able to make a wish and experience one of the ocean\u2019s great mysteries up-close and personal – seeing the token splash lit-up in a phosphorus shimmer as well as marvel at algae\u2019s luminescence. You\u2019ll find this immersive experience at 88 Borough High Street. \u00a0To download the Merge Festival programme, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If tummies start to rumble, head to the BFI<\/a> on the Southbank – kids eat for free all day and every day at the Riverfront Cafe<\/a>; see the menu here<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n DESIGN UNCOVERED AT THE MUSEUM DEPOT IN ACTON<\/b><\/p>\n This weekend the Museum Depot<\/a> in Acton throws opens its doors so get ready for two days of jam-packed activities to uncover the stories behind London Transport design classics. Creative drop in workshops will give families the chance to explore the Johnston font (London Transport\u2019s iconic typeface), discover more about iconic vehicles with expert talks, explore the Depot through bite size family tours and find out how moquette \u2013 the seat covering on the tube \u2013 is made and see the first tube map.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re able to go on Saturday, the Open Day includes a free visit to the Siemens Heathrow Express Depot in North Acton (via a shuttle bus). Take part in family fun activities including a \u2018design your own train carriage\u2019 competition and face painting. \u00a0Walk under a stationary train with your family and see how it\u2019s maintained, visit show and tell sessions and let the kids get hands-on with real train parts and learn how they work plus there\u2019s a chance to meet Paddington Bear!<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September, 11am – 5pm LittleBird Top Tip: The London Transport Museum<\/a> in Covent Garden, open all year round, offers families plenty of fun and is in a great location. \u00a0Kids go free and adult tickets cost \u00a312 but are valid for a year so perfect for return visits – there\u2019s always plenty going on in the school holidays.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n YOUR RIVER FAMILY FESTIVAL AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, CANARY WHARF<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part of the Totally Thames festival<\/a>\u00a0(finishing at the end of September) enjoy a weekend of crafts, storytelling and music at the Museum of London Docklands<\/a>. Explore the sights, sounds and stories of the Thames through the memories of its local people and discover why the Thames is so important to the people of London as generations are brought together in this Your River Family Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n There’s always lots to do at the Museum of London Docklands including the interactive Mudlarks, the sounds and smells of the notorious backwater known as Sailortown and Warehouse of the World where you can smell exotic spices and play games to find out where in the world imports to London’s docks came from. With a cafe and shop too, it\u2019s a great family day out.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September, 12pm – 4pm LittleBird Top Tip: There are 15 pianos decorated by local, national and international artists dotted throughout Canary Wharf\u2019s open spaces, parks, malls and waterfront areas. Play Me, I\u2019m Yours<\/a> offers a musical canvas to inspire and produce spontaneous creativity! Take it away\u2026.<\/p>\n If food is required at some point, there\u2019s \u00a0plenty of choice<\/a> including firm family favourites Nando\u2019s, Wagamamas and of course Pizza Express!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DIGITAL DESIGN WEEKEND AT THE V&A<\/b><\/p>\n To coincide with the London Design Festival<\/a>, the V&A is hosting a weekend of events celebrating contemporary Digital Design<\/a>\u00a0through workshops, events and interactive activities including installations, demonstrations of robotics and inventive electronics.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a musical microscope that allows you to zoom into sounds you\u2019ve just recorded and play your sonic discoveries like an instrument. Travel to a watering hole in Africa – using a live feed, you\u2019ll be able to immerse yourselves in the sights and sounds of life from another place. There\u2019s drawing robots and bacteria based art plus – while you\u2019re here, download Gamar\u2019s app that offers to turn your family day out into a fun learning adventure : ) Click here<\/a> for the full weekends programme and look out for the red (F) by the various workshops and events indicating a family friendly event<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: \u00a0While you\u2019re here, don\u2019t miss Curiosity Cloud <\/a>in the Norfolk House Music Room – the installation comprises of 250 mouth-blown glass globes, each globe contains a single hand-fabricated insect. As you enter the darkened room the insects come to life darting about and emitting trilling noises as they collide with the glass they are trapped in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DINOSAURS WEEKEND AT DISCOVER, STRATFORD<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s Dinosaur Weekend<\/a> at Discover – let me hear you rrrrroar! Join Discover\u2019s archaeologists and let your little ones see what they can unearth in the sand pit of bones (ages 0-3) or let them make their own skeleton dinosaur fossil toad to add to the museum gallery. Why not dress up, let them bring along their dinosaur friends and dress up if they want as a T-Rexmendous dinosaur day is promised.<\/p>\n Listen to a reading of Claire Freeman and Ben Cort Dinosaurs Love Underpants with story time at 2.30pm on both Saturday & Sunday and join T-Rex and the rest of the gang as they slog it out to gain prehistoric pants supremacy. With Discover\u2019s Story Trail and Story Garden, there\u2019s lots to keep older children inspired and entertained and imagining too!<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September, event times vary LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you have a house full of dinosaur lovers, you might want to have a look at the Polka Theatre<\/a>\u2019s new show opening tomorrow, Thursday 24th September, What to Do When You Find a Dinosaur<\/a> – perfect for 4 – 8 year olds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DESIGN A SWEET POTATO SUPERHERO AT KEW GARDENS<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kew\u2019s literary festival, Write on Kew<\/a>, is in full swing this weekend and to keep the kids entertained, head to the Ice-creamery where they can enter a competition focused on the “superpowers” of vegetables. Design a Sweet Potato Superhero <\/a>workshop asks the kids to create their design and enter the Love Sweet Potatoes national competition to find their first ever superhero mascot. The winner will see their creation blossom into a life size “super-veg superhero” who is tasked with encouraging kids to eat their veggies. Lots of fun is promised plus plenty of glitter and glue!<\/p>\n Plus, there\u2019s plenty of family friendly areas<\/a> to discover and explore at Kew including badger setts, the Climbers and Creepers interactive botanical play zone, a natural play area and log area, the Temple of Imagination and Treehouse Towers – a tree-themed outdoor play area.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th (1pm and 3pm) & Sunday 27th September (11am, 1pm and 3pm) LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Treat yourselves to the Kew Explorer Land Train<\/a> – tickets are extra (adults \u00a34.50 and children \u00a31.50) but it\u2019s a great way to explore the vastness of Kew – especially if you have little legs in tow.<\/p>\n ANIMATE AT THE WILLIAM MORRIS GALLERY, WALTHAMSTOW<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Head to the William Morris Gallery this Saturday for their monthly family day and introduce the kids to the wit of Chaucer using animation. \u00a0Explore William Morris\u2019s masterpiece, an illustrated collection of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, and use animation to make these funny stories come alive. \u00a0Animate<\/a> includes a make and take so you can remember your day.<\/p>\n William Morris was a textile designer and craftsman, writer, poet and political activist. The gallery celebrates William Morris\u2019s life and work and the displays are designed to be fun for families, with hands-on, interactive exhibits.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th September, 1pm – 4pm LittleBird Top Tip: The William Morris Gallery is set within Lloyd Park<\/a> so spend the morning outside and let the kids enjoy the nature play area, outdoor gym, outdoor table tennis (bring your own bats and balls) and if there are any skaters amongst you; bring your boards along as there\u2019s a skate park too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CAR FREE DAY IN LAMBETH<\/b><\/p>\n Celebrating the better use of public space than merely for cars, Estreham Road<\/a> is celebrating this Saturday with a car free zone. \u00a0Instead of cars trundling along it, the road will host an array of family fun with a stage promising music and entertainment throughout the day. There\u2019s a free roller disco so the kids can skate to the beat. Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t have your own skates, you can borrow some at the rink.<\/p>\n If yours or your kiddies bike needs an MOT, bring it along as Dr Bike will be there offering free bike checks and if you’re looking to sell or buy a bike, the Lambeth Bike Market will be there too. There\u2019ll be road furniture so you can put your feet up \u00a0after roller skating or a game of ping pong and of course, there will be food stalls too.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 26th September, 12pm – 4pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip:\u00a0Looking for some family fun in North London? Head to the National Trust\u2019s <\/a>Sutton House in Hackney on Sunday for their family friendly event Time Travellers<\/a> – let the kids step back in time to 1985 and get involved with graffiti art workshops, punk hair styling, face painting and 80s photoboothing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n HOOPDADOO TOY LAUNCH AT THE BLUEBERRY BAR, SHOREDITCH <\/b><\/p>\n Head over to the fabulous looking Blueberry Bar<\/a> in Shoreditch for this Family Fun Day celebrating the launch of HoopaDoo – a pre-schooler educational toy made by the owner of Mooshkie Moo and mum of two, Shim Offor. <\/b>\u00a0There’ll be lots of activities for the little ones including face painting, glitter tattoos, balloons, bubbles and a HoopaDoo adventure trail among some of the things to do. Plus there\u2019s a bar with refreshments and food available while DJ’s spin the decks. A Kickstarter launch – you’ll have the chance to test out the toy and if you fancy practicing your entrepreneurial skills, invest too!<\/p>\n When: Sunday 27th September, 1pm – 3.30pm LittleBird Top Tip: HoopaDoo is being launched with the help of Kickstarter – a funding platform for creative projects. Kickstarter host Hoopadoo offers various rewards to choose from in exchange for a pledge to their campaign and families will be invited to make a pledge on the day to support HoopaDoo\u2019s fundraising if they\u2019d like to. It\u2019ll be like being on Dragon\u2019s Den.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PEARLY KINGS & QUEENS HARVEST FESTIVAL, IN THE CITY \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Celebrate the Harvest Festival in the City this Sunday with London\u2019s Pearly Kings & Queens<\/a>. This family friendly event starts at 12pm at the Guildhall Yard<\/a> (the advice is to arrive early to get a seat) where an array of traditional entertainment will be staged. There\u2019s maypole and Morris dancing, donkey\u2019s and shire horses, marching bands and traditional song plus the promise of more pearly Kings & Queen\u2019s all in one place than you\u2019ve ever seen before. There\u2019s a parade to St Mary-le-Bow Church for the 3pm Harvest service too and everyone is welcome.<\/p>\n When: Sunday 27th September, 12pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Families are encouraged to donate to the harvest festival with non-perishable goods preferred. All donations will be given to the Whitechapel Mission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nWhere: Various venues in and around Bankside
\nAge: All ages
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"designuncovered\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/designuncovered.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Museum Depot, W3 9BQ
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adults \u00a310, Children free<\/p>\n![\"yourriverfamilyfest\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/yourriverfamilyfest.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL
\nAge: 5+
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"digitaldesignweekend\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/digitaldesignweekend.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: \u00a0V&A, SW7 2RL
\nAge: All ages
\nCost: Free, drop in<\/p>\n![\"dinosaursloveunderpants\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/dinosaursloveunderpants.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Discover Children\u2019s Story Centre, E15 4QZ
\nAge: 0 – 3 (sand pit of bones), 3+ (story time)
\nCost: \u00a35 adult \/ child, \u00a318 for a family of 4<\/p>\n![\"kewgardensweetpotato\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/kewgardensweetpotato.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Kew Garden, TW9 3AB
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free with your park entry tickets (Adults \u00a315, children 16 and under \u00a33.50).<\/p>\n![\"williamorrisanimate\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/williamorrisanimate.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: William Morris Gallery, E17 4PP
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free, drop in<\/p>\n![\"carfreeday\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/carfreeday.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Estreham Road, SW16 5NT
\nAge: All ages
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"hoopadoo\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/hoopadoo.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Blueberry Bar, EC2A 4JH
\nAge: 6 months up to pre-school
\nCost: Free but ticketed, book here<\/a><\/p>\n![\"pearlykingandqueens\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/09\/pearlykingandqueens.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
\nAge: All welcome
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n