A score of children\u2019s book artists are taking over the Institut fran\u00e7ais and London-based schools for a week of family fun, with workshops, drawing duos, films, live music, and more at this year’s South Ken Kids Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n Taking place throughout the week, this festival offers a \u00a0unique opportunity to meet celebrated artists from both sides of the channel including Beatrice Alemagna, Stephanie Blake, Fran\u00e7oize Boucher, Joseph Coelho, Bruno Heitz,Claude Ponti, Michael Rosen, Tony Ross, Axel Scheffler, and of course the festival\u2019s beloved patron Quentin Blake! Walk in activities, booking signings and artists in residence are in abundance. On Saturday get tickets for Impro!, a live drawing and music improvisation event starring rising star Airelle Besson and her wild trumpet improvisation or watch Drawing Duo Tony Ross and Claude Ponti celebrate 150 years of Alice in Wonderland and on Sunday there\u2019s the chance to book a workshop with Emily Hughes. For a full programme of events, click here<\/a><\/p>\n When: until 22nd November LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Fancy winning some books? Why not enter LittleBird\u2019s \u00a0HarperCollins competitions<\/a> to win either a BING bundle<\/a> or a Kindle along with David Baddiel\u2019s new book<\/a>; The Person Controller.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FRAMED FILM FESTIVAL AT THE BARBICAN, THE CITY<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Budding filmmakers, intrigued by special effects or just love watching films? Then don\u2019t miss the Barbican\u2019s annual\u00a0Framed Film Festival<\/a>\u00a0this weekend. Choose from children’s films from all over the world \u00a0ranging from stories of adventure and animals to magic and poetry. There\u2019s\u00a0Animal Magic with An Vrombaut\u00a0<\/a>with an introduction from An Vrombaut, of 64 Zoo Lane fame, Mune – new CGI adventure about friendship and courage and the new Snoppy movie.<\/p>\n Throughout the weekend there are free activity workshops in the Benugo cinema caf\u00e9 between Cinema 2 and 3. Kids can take part in a live colouring wall with Anorak, the chance to experiment with green screen and take part in crafts with the animator An Vrombaut. There\u2019s something to keep everyone entertained.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November LittleBird Top Tip: On Sunday the\u00a0Barbican conservatory<\/a>\u00a0will be open – it\u2019s the second biggest Conservatory in London and home to exotic fish and over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees.The World of Charles & Ray Eames<\/a>\u00a0exhibition (running until 14th Feb 2016) \u00a0is on too for those budding designers.<\/p>\n SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE<\/strong><\/p>\n Celebrate the festive season in style at London\u2019s most beautiful ice rink at Somerset House<\/a>. Enjoy a day time skate and check out the Polar Bear stabilisers (there\u2019s even a polar bear club<\/a> and skate school for young children) or book for when the sun goes down and you might be able to squeeze in some apres-skate with a naughty cocktail or indulgent fondue and hot choc\u2019s for the kids – of course!<\/p>\n For the second year, Somerset House have partnered with Fortnum and Mason\u2019s and as well as Fortnum\u2019s Lodge (offering tasty pastries, welsh rabbit, hot chocolates and other delights), there is a Christmas Arcade<\/a> for some bespoke christmas shopping \u2013 a seasonal pop-up version of the classic Piccadilly store, there will be an array of rooms dedicated to showcasing Fortnum\u2019s festive favourites \u00a0– it\u2019s like a Fortnum and Mason\u2019s mini me.<\/p>\n When: until 10th January 2016 LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: You\u2019re a 10 minute walk from Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum with its family galleries<\/a>. Or you can just enjoy this years Christmas lights<\/a> in the Market Building and enjoy for a kiss under the 40 magnificent mistletoe chandeliers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n RAILWAY CHILDREN, KINGS CROSS – SAVE 43% WITH LITTLEBIRD<\/strong><\/p>\n From book, to film (who can forget the 1970\u2019s movie version starring Jenny Agutter?), to stage production – \u00a0you\u2019ll need your hankies at the ready! A perfect theatrical treat,\u00a0The Railway Children<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0King\u2019s Cross Theatre<\/a>\u00a0offers a unique experience. This award winning \u00a0show features a stage built around a real train track, and a \u00a060 tonne vintage locomotive that steams into the theatre. Let the kids enjoy E. Nesbit\u2019s classic tale and discover how \u00a0Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis became The Railway Children as they go on an adventure to solve the mystery of their missing father.<\/p>\n When: until 10th April 2016 with\u00a0LittleBird savings<\/a>\u00a0on performances until 30th Nov LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: Discover Kings Cross with\u00a0trails and tours<\/a>\u00a0galore – there are maps and apps to interact with and you must download\u00a0Granary Squirt. \u00a0<\/a>The app turns your smartphone into your very own fountain remote control between 5pm and 8pm everyday – excellent fun – or head to\u00a0Camley Street Natural Park<\/a>\u00a0– a beautiful urban nature reserve where you\u2019ll forget you are in the heart of the city!<\/p>\n LAUREN CHILD BOOK SIGNING IN MUSWELL HILL<\/strong><\/p>\n Lauren Child will be celebrating her new Charlie and Lola and \u00a0Ruby Redfort books by visiting Children\u2019s Bookshop, Muswell Hill<\/a>. A literary jewel in Muswell Hill, Children\u2019s Bookshop was established in 1974 with a deep rooted passion for books. \u00a0Family owned, it\u2019s most important aim is to create book lovers of the future by enthusing children about the wonders of books and what better way to inspire than to meet your literary heroes and heroines.<\/p>\n If the kids want to research a bit of background into their favourite characters before meeting Lauren Child, Ruby Redfort lovers need to pop over to the \u00a0Ruby Redfort website<\/a> and for Charlie and Lola, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st November, 11am – 12pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you and kids love Lauren Child, then don\u2019t miss her new exhibition, Lauren Child’s Dolls\u2019 House<\/a>, \u00a0at the House of Illustration<\/a> in King\u2019s Cross. The exhibition showcases Child\u2019s recently completed dolls\u2019 house, alongside original sets made for the illustrated book with three-dimensional miniature sets, The Princess and the Pea.<\/p>\n MUD FUN WITH \u00a0BOW BEASTIES, TOWER HAMLETS<\/strong><\/p>\n Bow Beasties<\/a> is Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park wildlife watch club for all of the family to enjoy! The Park, with its ponds, flower rich woodlands and meadows is now a designated Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.<\/p>\n Join Bow Beasties Ken and Zoe (along with their two children, and dog Quinn) for an exciting range of activities, all of which take place within the fabulous resource of the Cemetery Park. This Saturday it\u2019s all about mud! Mud kitchen fun and leaf art are on the agenda so you\u2019re asked bring along old kitchen utensils and pots and pans. \u00a0It\u2019s gonna get mucky, so a change of clothes and waterproofs is highly recommended. Bow Beasties happens every 3rd Saturday of the month (except for August). It\u2019s FREE and there is no need to book (unless otherwise stated).<\/p>\n When: Saturday 21st November, 10.30am \u2013 12.30pm LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you fancy spending the whole day out in the fresh air you\u2019re not far from Mile End Park<\/a>, and there\u2019s plenty to do, see and enjoy including an Ecology Park and Pavilion, the Arts Park and Pavilion plus a playground, climbing wall and skate park. You can walk through Mile End Park and end up in Victoria Park – soon to be home to Winterville<\/a> – from 26th Nov you\u2019ll be able to ice skate, go to the circus, funfair, panto, play crazy golf, watch a film or simply soak up the festive atmosphere – it\u2019s free entry.<\/p>\n SYON PARK\u2019S ENCHANTED WOODLAND, BRENTFORD – SAVE 50% WITH LITTLEBIRD<\/strong><\/p>\n 2015 is the 10th anniversary of Syon Park\u2019s Enchanted Woodland<\/a> walk. Wrap up warm and enjoy this magical and festive experience as you follow the illuminated trail through Capability Brown gardens and the historic arboretum, round the ornamental lake ending at the Great Conservatory where a spectacular finale of music and light await. Listen carefully… which one of you will hear the laughter of fairies first? \u00a0Find the tiny lanterns, wonderful colours & sounds and oooh and ahhh at the beautiful lighting effects twinkling around the park. Warming drinks as well as a BBQ are on hand to enjoy before or after your enchanted woodland walk.<\/p>\n When: Friday\u2019s, Saturday\u2019s & Sunday until 6th December, doors open 5pm with LittleBird savings<\/a> on Friday 20th & Sunday 22nd Nov LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: The London Museum of Water & Steam<\/a> isn\u2019t far and this December<\/a> you can save 43% <\/a>with LittleBird <\/a>and enjoy a traditional Victorian Christmas with arts & crafts, carol singers, a Christmas trail and of course the main man himself – Santa!<\/p>\n BADDIES: THE MUSICAL AT THE UNICORN THEATRE, LONDON BRIDGE<\/strong><\/p>\n So you think being bad is wrong? Think again\u2026. Baddies: The Musical<\/a> at the Unicorn asks you to reconsider. The Big Bad Wolf’s in serious trouble – he’s been ripped from his story and thrown in jail for being too good at being bad! How are you supposed to tell who the good guys are when there are no baddies around? This Christmas, someone’s decided to change the fairytale rulebook and no-one seems to know why. Step into the lives of everyone’s favourite villainous characters and find out\u2026.<\/p>\n If you go this weekend, look out for the Unicorn\u2019s Up Club<\/a> crafty fairytale-inspired workshop after this Saturday’s (21st) matinee performance. This event is part of UP Club+<\/a>, tickets are \u00a38 and booking is advisable<\/a>. To see what fun has been had before at the Up Club, check out the Up Club blog here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When: until 24th December with LittleBird savings<\/a> on performances on 21st & 22nd Nov LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: The Unicorn is set back from the Thames so you\u2019re a hop, skip and a jump from the Scoop and HMS Belfast<\/a> – enjoy LittleBird\u2019s FREE voucher for 25% off family tickets<\/a>. Tower Bridge is to your right and the Tower of London across the river. Lots of eateries too including Leon and Strada. \u00a0A great place to spend the whole day with plenty to do, see, eat and enjoy!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DRESSED BY ANGELS AT THE OLD TRUMAN BREWERY, BRICK LANE \u00a0– SAVE 27% WITH LITTLEBIRD<\/strong><\/p>\n Head to the Old Truman Brewery and take a peek at the new exhibition Dressed by Angels<\/a> – showcasing 175 years\u2019 worth of costumes from film, TV & theatre from Angel Costumes. Over 100 costumes have been selected from Angel\u2019s illustrious back catalogue offering you and the kids a chance to see costumes made for such screen legends including Fred Astaire, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Tom Baker, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep.<\/p>\n Iconic TV costumes such as Doctor Who, Dad\u2019s Army and Only Fools and Horses are displayed and \u00a0as well as major films including Elizabeth, Star Wars, Cleopatra and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Even West End theatre is featured with Wicked and Wolf Hall highlighting modern stage production costumes. \u00a0The exhibition includes photographs, letters and artefacts that provide history as well as personalising the costumes, \u00a0offering an insight into showbiz history.<\/p>\n When: until 3rd January 2016 with LittleBird savings<\/a> on until 29th \u00a0Nov – weekends only LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: The Old Truman Brewery is just off \u00a0Brick Lane, so why not arrive early and enjoy a Nutella bagel from Beigel Bake before the exhibition or head over to Rich Mix<\/a> and catch the Kids Cine Time<\/a> – at \u00a31.75 it\u2019s great value and Boxtrolls is playing this weekend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ROALD DAHL\u2019S THE GIRAFFE AND THE PELLY AND ME AT LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, ISLINGTON<\/strong><\/p>\n One of Roald Dahl\u2019s lesser known books, The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me<\/a> is presented this Christmas as a musical spectacular by the wonderful Little Angel Theatre<\/a>. Magically brought to life by the creative team behind Little Angel show stoppers including \u2018Fantastic Mr Fox\u2019 and \u2018The Mouse Queen\u2019, The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me is the story about a young boy who befriends a Giraffe, a Pelican (or \u201cPelly\u201d) and a Monkey. Take the kids and join them on their unexpected adventures when these unlikely friends create the \u2018Ladderless Window Cleaning Company\u2019.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t make this weekend, \u00a0a unique experience awaits on Saturday 12th December. A Family Gala Performance<\/a> is planned where the kids have the chance to meet the puppets and explore backstage at Little Angel Theatre.<\/p>\n When: until 31st January 2016 LittleBird\u2019s Top Tip: If you\u2019re kids are Roald Dahl fans, enjoy 50% off these Roald Dahl activity sets<\/a>; perfect stocking fillers this Christmas!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fun and fantastic things to do with the kids in London this Weekend Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November SOUTH KENSINGTON KIDS FESTIVAL A score of children\u2019s book artists are taking over the Institut fran\u00e7ais and London-based schools for a week of family fun, with workshops, drawing duos, films, live music, and more at this … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,563],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-whats-on"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2151"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5569,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2151\/revisions\/5569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"southKenKidsFest\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/southKenKidsFest.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Institut fran\u00e7ais,SW7 2DT
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Tickets start from \u00a35<\/p>\n![\"framedfilmfestival2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/framedfilmfestival2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: The Barbican, EC2Y 8DS
\nAge: Films vary between U and PG
\nCost: Tickets are \u00a35 and workshops are free<\/p>\n![\"skatesomersethouse\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/skatesomersethouse.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Somerset House,\u00a0WC2R 1LA
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Tickets from \u00a0\u00a37.50<\/p>\n![\"railwaychildren\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/railwaychildren.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: King’s Cross Theatre, N1C 4UR
\nAge: 2+
\nCost: Premium tickets from \u00a369.50\u00a0so\u00a0book with LittleBird<\/a>\u00a0for performances until 30th Nov &\u00a0save 43%<\/a><\/p>\n![\"laurenchild\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/laurenchild.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Children\u2019s Book Shop, N10 3HP
\nAge: All
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"bowbeasties2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/bowbeasties2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park (meet at Soanes Centre)
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Free<\/p>\n![\"syonpark\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/syonpark.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Syon Park, TW8 8JF
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Adults \u00a39, Children \u00a33 – so book with LittleBird<\/a> and go this Friday 20th & Sunday 22nd and save 50%<\/a><\/p>\n![\"baddiesunicorn\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/baddiesunicorn1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Unicorn Theatre, SE1 2HZ
\nAge: 6+
\nCost: Tickets from \u00a316 but book with LittleBird<\/a> for 21st & 22nd Nov and save 35%<\/a><\/p>\n![\"dressedbyangels\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/dressedbyangels.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QR
\nAge: Families
\nCost: Tickets from \u00a310.80 but book with LittleBird<\/a> for weekends in Nov and save 27%<\/a><\/p>\n![\"giraffepellyme2\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2015\/11\/giraffepellyme2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhere: Little Angel Theatre, N1 2DN
\nAge: 4 – 11 but children can be admitted from age 3
\nCost: Tickets from \u00a312 and note, if you can go on a Friday at 5pm, all tickets are only \u00a35.<\/p>\n